http://www.8newsnow.com/story/16213751/city-targets-human-trafficking-at-massage-parlors?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=6527432
By Jessica Lovell, Reporter - email
8NewsNow.com
Dec 07, 2011 7:52 PM EST Updated: Dec 07, 2011 7:52 PM EST
LAS VEGAS -- The City of Las Vegas passed an ordinance Wednesday to stop human trafficking in the city. With stricter standards and penalties placed on illegal massage and reflexology parlors, Metro and the Southern Nevada Health District will now be able to assist in getting some of these businesses shut down.
By Jessica Lovell, Reporter - email
8NewsNow.com
Dec 07, 2011 7:52 PM EST Updated: Dec 07, 2011 7:52 PM EST
LAS VEGAS -- The City of Las Vegas passed an ordinance Wednesday to stop human trafficking in the city. With stricter standards and penalties placed on illegal massage and reflexology parlors, Metro and the Southern Nevada Health District will now be able to assist in getting some of these businesses shut down.
Councilman Starvos Anthony, who helped spearhead the ordinance, hopes it will spread to other cities dealing with the abuse and trafficking of woman and children.
The ordinance attacks two parts of the massage parlor business: No more covert operations like two-way mirrors, locked doors, and video recordings, and no more early hours.
"Nobody needs a massage at four in the morning, as far as I'm concerned," said Anthony.
Councilman Anthony explained how the order will also require these businesses to have a health permit. Law enforcement will be checking for posted licenses and permits.
"Somebody who's a slave from human trafficking is not going to have a license and it's not going to be posted. We'll be able to shut these places down," he said.
Minndie Lloyd with Bamboo Bridge, an advocacy group for Asian American women, says these women often have nowhere to turn and the city's move to step forward will ultimately save them.
"In the Asian culture, we don't share our laundry. It's bad for us to reach out for help to the community," she said.
Councilman Anthony is glad Las Vegas is leading the way in protecting woman and shutting down businesses that don't.
"Can you think of an 11-year-old girl that's kidnapped from Asia that's brought to the United States and put into a massage parlor as a prostitute? That's evil, as far as I'm concerned," he said.
Anthony reassures legitimate massage businesses that the new order won't hurt them. In fact, he says he has the support of those businesses, ultimately helping them and their reputations.
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