The Citizens Were Heard, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Oct 2009
The Citizens Were Heard, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
Congratulations to the citizens of Rhode Island and national anti-trafficking advocates for the legislative victory in Rhode Island. This past week, the Rhode Island Assembly passed an unprecedented pieces of legislation that will protect victims from sex industry predators and give law enforcement the tools they need to arrest pimps, traffickers, and “johns.”
Victory In Rhode Island, Donna M. Hughes Dr., Michael Horowitz
Oct 2009
Victory In Rhode Island, Donna M. Hughes Dr., Michael Horowitz
Donna M. Hughes
In stunning culmination of a David-Goliath struggle that, at least until lately, few believed the David side had the slightest chance of winning, the Rhode Island legislature enacted three major anti-trafficking bills last night that the Governor will soon sign into law.
Testimony On Prostitution Bill, Senate Judiciary Committee, Oct 2009, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Oct 2009
Testimony On Prostitution Bill, Senate Judiciary Committee, Oct 2009, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
I am here to support a bill that will give Rhode Island the prostitution law it needs to combat the growing sex industry and sex trafficking.
Many letters and reports have been written describing the problems that decriminalized prostitution has created for Rhode Island. We know that women from foreign countries are here in the spa-brothels. We know that U.S teens are trafficked here from other states. We know there is much evidence of sex trafficking in the Asian spa-brothels and strip clubs.
Testimony For Trafficking Bill, Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee, Oct 2009, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Oct 2009
Testimony For Trafficking Bill, Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee, Oct 2009, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
I am here to support a trafficking bill that will do two things:
1) Criminalize forced labor as a form of human trafficking.
2) Make it easier to prosecute sex trafficking of minors by removing the requirement to prove force, fraud, or coercion.
Prostitution Destroys Families, Anonymous In Providence, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Sep 2009
Prostitution Destroys Families, Anonymous In Providence, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
The bill against indoor prostitution should be passed. [Prostitution] destroys many families. What happens when a wife catches her husband going to spa or strip clubs? Divorce usually, and then the children involved go to counseling and so does the wife. Medical costs rise, not including STD’s the men catch from these women. To worry about what jobs they’ll get if they can’t do sex acts, well dancing for men is one thing, having sex with them is [another]. If [prostitution] is no longer allowed, the club owners should pay the fines if they cannot control what happens in their clubs.
Senate Prostitution Bill Weakens Law, Jim Meyen, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Sep 2009
Senate Prostitution Bill Weakens Law, Jim Meyen, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
No abstract provided.
Levesque Misrepresents View Of Laura Lederer, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Sep 2009
Levesque Misrepresents View Of Laura Lederer, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
Last week (September 4, 2009), Senator Charles Levesque (D-Portsmouth and Bristol) sent an email that misrepresented the view of Laura Lederer on the need for a prostitution law in Rhode Island. His email is reproduced in full below. Senator Levesque’s letter was printed in the Providence Journal (September 9, 2009) under the title “Anti-prostitution law means more deaths.”
Senators' Prostitution Bill Is A Sham, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Sep 2009
Senators' Prostitution Bill Is A Sham, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
RHODE ISLAND needs a good prostitution law to halt the metastasizing problems of prostitution and sex trafficking. The growing number of spas and clubs are sordid destinations for foreign women and teens from around the Northeast. To address this problem, both the House and the Senate have passed bills they claim “close the loophole.” But the competing bills are profoundly different in their probable effectiveness.
Speak Your Voice On Prostitution Bill, Donna L. Landry, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Aug 2009
Speak Your Voice On Prostitution Bill, Donna L. Landry, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
Now is the time to speak your voice and urge your Senator to pass the House bill H5044A. Now is the time to close the loophole of indoor prostitution in Rhode Island. Negotiations are ongoing, so please write letters to your senator and circulate petitions now.
Top Us Official On Trafficking Says Lack Of Prostitution Law Creates A "Zone Of Impunity" For Traffickers, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Aug 2009
Top Us Official On Trafficking Says Lack Of Prostitution Law Creates A "Zone Of Impunity" For Traffickers, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
The lack of a law against indoor prostitution can create a “zone of impunity in which police can’t go, and where traffickers can exploit their prey,” according to Luis CdeBaca, Ambassador at Large to Combat Human Trafficking and Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons in the U.S. State Department.
Sex Radicals Target Rhode Island, Margaret Brooks, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Aug 2009
Sex Radicals Target Rhode Island, Margaret Brooks, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
Citizens Against Trafficking responds to the letter from 50 academics who support the status quo of decriminalized prostitution (indoors) in Rhode Island.On July 31, 2009, a letter co‐authored by Ronald Weitzer and Elizabeth Anne Wood and signed by 48 other “members of the academic community” was sent to the Rhode Island General
Assembly opposing any bill banning prostitution indoors.
Evicted Brothel Relocates, Melanie Shapiro Esq, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Aug 2009
Evicted Brothel Relocates, Melanie Shapiro Esq, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
As it has become apparent that Rhode Island will pass a law prohibiting prostitution, property owner Joseph Paolino moved to evict a spa-brothel in his building. The Bali Day Spa has relocated to a sister spa-brothel at Smithfield Avenue.
Updates From Middletown, Melanie Shapiro Esq, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Aug 2009
Updates From Middletown, Melanie Shapiro Esq, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
Asian spa-brothel closes; Middletown Council passes anti-prostitution resolution
Rhode Island Left Out Of Fbi Initiative, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Aug 2009
Rhode Island Left Out Of Fbi Initiative, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
Rhode Island has been excluded from federal law enforcement investigations of sex trafficking of children because there is no law against prostitution.
Citizens Confront Officials In Middletown, Melanie Shapiro Esq, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Aug 2009
Citizens Confront Officials In Middletown, Melanie Shapiro Esq, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
The parking lot was overflowing for the Middletown Town Council meeting on Monday evening. Dozens of citizens, including local business owners and parents, were there to express their concern about the presence of spa-brothels in the community and the loss of a children-centered business as a result.
Asian Woman Fled Middletown Brothel Last Year, Melanie Shapiro Esq, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Jul 2009
Asian Woman Fled Middletown Brothel Last Year, Melanie Shapiro Esq, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
A business owner has told Citizens Against Trafficking that late last year, an Asian women fled a spa-brothel nearby and came to their shop to ask for assistance.
The Obstructionism Of Senator Paul Jabour, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Jul 2009
The Obstructionism Of Senator Paul Jabour, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
“I am disappointed in the last minute amendments [to the prostitution bill]. For Senator Jabour “to suggest that after all we have suffered through, with the way we are perceived as a state and the [lack of] tools we need in a court room; to suggest that [prostitution] is a violation, something like a traffic ticket, is a woeful decision. [Jabour’s amendments] are “what derailed [the prostitution bill] in the last week.” – Attorney General Patrick Lynch, on Channel 10 News Conference, July 12, 2009
Against all logic and political wisdom, in the closing weeks of the Assembly session last …
Salon 657 American Brothel In Middletown, Melanie Shapiro Esq, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Jun 2009
Salon 657 American Brothel In Middletown, Melanie Shapiro Esq, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
Most of the spa-brothels in Rhode Island are run by Asians with Asian women engaging in prostitution. Salon 657 is one of the increasing numbers of prostitution venues with American women. Salon 657 advertises in the “adult entertainment” section of the Providence Phoenix that it offers “erotic massage and hair cutting services” for men only.
Rhode Island's Carnival Of Prostitution, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Jun 2009
Rhode Island's Carnival Of Prostitution, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
AFTER MY EXPERIENCE at the Senate Judiciary Committee last Thursday, I believe Rhode Island is headed for a human rights disaster and nationwide political embarrassment. It is becoming apparent that the Senate is not going to pass a much-needed prostitution bill. Rhode Island will continue to have an expanding number of spa-brothels, prostitution of minors in clubs, and no law that will enable the police to stop it.
Action Alert For Senate: Comments On Human Trafficking Bills, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Jun 2009
Action Alert For Senate: Comments On Human Trafficking Bills, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
Rhode Island Senate President Paiva-Weed has said that she is “confident that we will address the issue of prostitution and human trafficking” this session (, Sunday, June 21, 2009, p A6). The votes in the Senate are crucial to Rhode Island getting a prostitution law and improving our trafficking law! There are competing bills, so it can get confusing. Remember, there are two versions of the prostitution bill (a House and Senate version) and two versions of the trafficking bill (a House and Senate version).
Governor Carcieri Calls For Passage Of Prostitution Bill, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Jun 2009
Governor Carcieri Calls For Passage Of Prostitution Bill, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
On Thursday (June 18, 2009), Governor Carcieri held a press conference to support Gianinni’s prostitution bill (H 5044A) and her House trafficking bill (H 5661A). Giannini’s bill will create laws against prostitution to “close the loophole” as it is often referred to. Joining the governor were Representative Joanne Giannini, the sponsor of the bills, Stacey Pires Veroni, Assistant Attorney General, Col. Doherty, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, Representative Roberto DaSilva, and Donna M. Hughes, Professor at the University of Rhode Island.
Testimony In Support Of "An Act Relating To Criminal Offenses--Prostitution" At Governors Press Conference, Rhode Island, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Jun 2009
Testimony In Support Of "An Act Relating To Criminal Offenses--Prostitution" At Governors Press Conference, Rhode Island, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
Prostitution is harmful to individuals involved, their families and the community. It is not a victimless activity or just a private sex act. Up to 90% of women in prostitution are beaten and raped by pimps and the men who buy sex. Approximately 90% are addicted to drugs and alcohol. They suffer depression and hopelessness; suicide attempts are common. For visual, physical evidence of the harm caused by prostitution, please look at this collection of serial photographs of prostitutes as they are being destroyed over time by prostitution and drug use.
Because of decriminalized prostitution indoors, the sex industry is …
Testimony On Human Trafficking Bill, Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Jun 2009
Testimony On Human Trafficking Bill, Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
In 2007, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed an anti-human trafficking law. To date, there have been no prosecutions. There are three serious problems with the present Rhode Island law that need to be remedied in order to effectively combat human trafficking.
