05/29/2026
We applaud the FBI and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for their work in arresting multiple individuals connected to what appears to be a prostitution ring involving vulnerable women struggling with addiction.
At the same time, we must continue educating our communities on an important truth:
S*x trafficking is NOT prostitution.
Many victims are manipulated, coerced, groomed, threatened, trafficked through addiction, or trapped by circumstances far beyond their control. What may appear on the surface as “choice” is often exploitation rooted in trauma, abuse, poverty, homelessness, or substance dependency.
Arrests are important — but so is prevention, survivor support, trauma-informed care, safe housing, and long-term restoration.
We must continue fighting not only the criminal networks profiting from exploitation, but also the demand that fuels trafficking in the first place.
Our survivors deserve protection, dignity, healing, and hope.