Victor & Greg,
Some of your policies such as effective screening appear pretty good! However, I disagree with some of them (certainly with the idea that we need to do away with anonymity or that policing the users -- reporting all crime to the police -- is realistic or a really good idea). That doesn't mean that I agree with what craigslist is doing or rather not doing...
Removing the adult/erotic sections was good! And it did cost them quite a bit of money...(in lost revenue) but it certainly does not appear that it was done for the right reasons if they want to stop there. I certainly agree that craigslist should spend a lot more of its vast resources on combating crime, especially horrible crime. And I've said this on this blog, over and over... Unfortunately, they appear to hide behind their size in an attempt to continue to do little more than give potential victims some advice.
Will the government step in at some point? I think so... But the way to prevent that is not by giving up what I consider fundamental rights such as not being forced to give up your privacy unless you have done something wrong or not being reported to the police for anything and everything that some screening software/person might deem to be a crime.
Still, I agree with the general idea: craigslist's removal of the adult/erotic sections was but one step in the right direction...
Delia
P.S. sorry, this comment is all I can contribute towards this; I do wish you luck with the brain storming and everything else! D.
....
----- Original message -----
Sent: 2011/03/09 11:05:53
Subject: Re: Open letter to craigslist, others to make classifieds sites safe
Greetings!
In recent days, there’s been a blogging war of words between craigslist and the authors of a report that last month referred to the classifieds site as a “cesspool of crime.” The online classifieds site has taken exception to the report and fired back by accusing competitors of skewing the facts.
Greg Collier, the CEO of Geebo, an online classifieds site that is not involved in the back-and-forth exchange, has taken it upon himself to interject in an attempt to navigate the debate into a positive. He has penned an open letter to his industry counterparts, asking them to join him in his efforts to deter criminals from preying on people through online ads.
Geebo already does not accept adult-natured ads and reviews each ad before it goes live to make sure that the content is appropriate. Collier is asking the operators of the other sites not only to take those same steps but to join him in brainstorming policies that could become the new standards for the industry. The alternative, he warned, could be government regulation.
The official release is attached and a copy of Greg’s letter is available online. Greg is available for interviews to discuss his efforts and why he chose to interject in an attempt to shift the debate.
Thanks so much for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best,
Victor Sage
Showing posts with label craigslist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label craigslist. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Sunday, December 19, 2010
craigslist pulls "erotic services" worldwide -- congratulations!:)
good news! I'd like to think they heard me (the P.S. to prior post))... but, in any case, good decision! although it is not at all clear that it was done for the right reasons... (like some of the media coverage says) ultimately, it's really good they did do it!
Delia
P.S. since I am in a congratulatory mood, is this Craig Newmark playing the violin at the Toronto Askenaz music festival? (while I am not Jewish myself, I like the music a lot! -- the fact that I grew up in Romania might have helped, there is a strong Romanian influence (under "style") as far as the tunes go but there is certainly a unique interpretation and special effects) ~D.
Delia
P.S. since I am in a congratulatory mood, is this Craig Newmark playing the violin at the Toronto Askenaz music festival? (while I am not Jewish myself, I like the music a lot! -- the fact that I grew up in Romania might have helped, there is a strong Romanian influence (under "style") as far as the tunes go but there is certainly a unique interpretation and special effects) ~D.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
craigslist current issues
I'm just going to address some issue that I see relevant at the moment, in no particular order (things I've recently seen people argue incorrectly)
1) craigslist (and similar companies) is like the phone company <--> the internet provider craigslist uses is like the phone company, but craigslist itself is like a company that would solicit ads to be recorded through the phone and then allow the public to call in and access those ads; as far as I understand it, such a company would be legally liable if it promoted crime
2).ads are moving to other sites so we are no better off by shutting down craigslist erotic/adult section <--> what made craigslist such a big problem in the US (and still does internationally) was its efficiency, moving those ads to less efficient places would normally result in less harm; however, if ONE company would manage to recapture virtually all the "formally-craigslist erotic/adult ads", that would be a real concern and should be shut down ASAP
3). child trafficking is just moving from the streets to the internet <--> I really don't think that's the ONLY thing that's going on here, I believe it is to be expected that MORE (perhaps MUCH more) child trafficking actually results when such an efficient market as craigslist exists; I
would also expect copycat child trafficking to result when potential criminals realize that although a small percentage of traffickers are apprehended, the vast majority of them are NOT!
4). we are better off having them post on the web so that the police can just check the ads and find the criminals <--> given the very limited police resources available and the fact that it is considerably MORE expensive --time-wise and resource-wise-- to bring criminals to justice this way (see explanation in policeman's lawsuit against craigslist) this would only make sense if local police would be allowed to set the number of ads that appear on the site to a number they can manage; opening up the floodgates and expecting the police to do anything beyond catch a few cases
is well-meaning but ignorant at best...
5). it is a free speech issue<--> *forum* posts are a free speech issue, NOT ad posts (the function of an ad -- ANY ad -- is commerce, the function of a forum post is speech; an ad posted in the forums would, of course, still be an ad and should abide by legal regulation of ads
alright, now about the INTERNATIONAL issue: as far as I can see, there is no reason to conclude the moral issue is different for erotic sections provided for countries other than the U.S.; the legal issues are bound to differ but hopefully craigslist will take the moral high ground and not even bother with that
the main problem I see is that craigslist might believe -- rightly or wrongly -- (there has been some evidence to support this) that it was the allowing (or actually cultivating?) of the "sex sections" of craigslist that grew the site beyond anybody's expectation in the U.S.
and it will do the same abroad, given time...
so from a strictly "business" POV it might appear that pulling "the sex sections" at this point would prevent the international craigslist site to reach its potential in term of overall ads, hits and eventually profit
so the challenge is to convince craigslist that it should put moral consideration before financial ones, that it shouldn't WANT success abroad if it would take "helping out" child traffickers...
Delia
P.S. I would certainly like to believe that, in spite of Stephen's evidence, craigslist grew as a result of building a useful community and NOT as a result of all that smut.. and that if that's what it took to grow the site abroad, Craig Newmark and Jim Buckmaster would pass... D.
1) craigslist (and similar companies) is like the phone company <--> the internet provider craigslist uses is like the phone company, but craigslist itself is like a company that would solicit ads to be recorded through the phone and then allow the public to call in and access those ads; as far as I understand it, such a company would be legally liable if it promoted crime
2).ads are moving to other sites so we are no better off by shutting down craigslist erotic/adult section <--> what made craigslist such a big problem in the US (and still does internationally) was its efficiency, moving those ads to less efficient places would normally result in less harm; however, if ONE company would manage to recapture virtually all the "formally-craigslist erotic/adult ads", that would be a real concern and should be shut down ASAP
3). child trafficking is just moving from the streets to the internet <--> I really don't think that's the ONLY thing that's going on here, I believe it is to be expected that MORE (perhaps MUCH more) child trafficking actually results when such an efficient market as craigslist exists; I
would also expect copycat child trafficking to result when potential criminals realize that although a small percentage of traffickers are apprehended, the vast majority of them are NOT!
4). we are better off having them post on the web so that the police can just check the ads and find the criminals <--> given the very limited police resources available and the fact that it is considerably MORE expensive --time-wise and resource-wise-- to bring criminals to justice this way (see explanation in policeman's lawsuit against craigslist) this would only make sense if local police would be allowed to set the number of ads that appear on the site to a number they can manage; opening up the floodgates and expecting the police to do anything beyond catch a few cases
is well-meaning but ignorant at best...
5). it is a free speech issue<--> *forum* posts are a free speech issue, NOT ad posts (the function of an ad -- ANY ad -- is commerce, the function of a forum post is speech; an ad posted in the forums would, of course, still be an ad and should abide by legal regulation of ads
alright, now about the INTERNATIONAL issue: as far as I can see, there is no reason to conclude the moral issue is different for erotic sections provided for countries other than the U.S.; the legal issues are bound to differ but hopefully craigslist will take the moral high ground and not even bother with that
the main problem I see is that craigslist might believe -- rightly or wrongly -- (there has been some evidence to support this) that it was the allowing (or actually cultivating?) of the "sex sections" of craigslist that grew the site beyond anybody's expectation in the U.S.
and it will do the same abroad, given time...
so from a strictly "business" POV it might appear that pulling "the sex sections" at this point would prevent the international craigslist site to reach its potential in term of overall ads, hits and eventually profit
so the challenge is to convince craigslist that it should put moral consideration before financial ones, that it shouldn't WANT success abroad if it would take "helping out" child traffickers...
Delia
P.S. I would certainly like to believe that, in spite of Stephen's evidence, craigslist grew as a result of building a useful community and NOT as a result of all that smut.. and that if that's what it took to grow the site abroad, Craig Newmark and Jim Buckmaster would pass... D.
100 Experts in Letter to Craigslist: Complete the Job, Now
MORE (craigslist current issue)
sorry... took me longer than I thought, again...
as already said, I hope the group succeeds and am glad to post the press release on my blog; will also post my take on what I see as the current issues, in a separate entry...D.
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Andrea Austin
202-425-2307
aaustin@polarisproject.org
Craigslist Must Complete the Job
In Advance of Congressional Hearing Where Craigslist Will Testify,
100 Experts Send Letter to Craigslist Insisting It Close Erotic Sections Worldwide
WASHINGTON, September 14, 2010—On the eve of a Congressional hearing on the sex trafficking of children, 100 leading anti-trafficking experts and organizations sent a letter to Craigslist founder Craig Newmark and CEO Jim Buckmaster calling for the immediate, permanent and complete removal of all Craigslist Adult and Erotic Services sections, worldwide. While these sections were closed in the United States, they remain open in more than 250 cities around the world.
Tomorrow, September 15, 2010, the House of Representatives’ Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security will hear testimony from law enforcement, advocacy groups, and Members of Congress who will speak on child sex trafficking in general and Craigslist’s continuing role as a platform that enables it. William Powell, Director of Customer Service and Law Enforcement Relations for Craigslist, and Elizabeth McDougall, Craigslist’s legal counsel, are scheduled to testify at the hearing.
Here are some highlights from the letter:
We thank you for voluntarily closing the Adult Services section of Craigslist in the United States. While this is a positive step, Craigslist is a global company, and it has a global responsibility. More than 250 Craigslist sites exist around the world that still feature “Erotic” sections where trafficked children and women are being sold for sex.
That you have not made the same improvements globally across your site reveals a disingenuous and inconsistent response on your part. Moreover, the few helpful actions you have taken do not measure up to the amount of daily harm being facilitated by Craigslist through the thousands of Erotic Services ads around the world each day.
The anti-trafficking field is standing with solidarity and unity, and collectively asking you to take down all the Adult and Erotic sections worldwide, completely and permanently.
The letter comes as international law enforcement officials have begun calling on Craigslist to follow through on its commitment to end the sexual trafficking of children and women. Last week, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police called on Craigslist to close the section in Canada: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20100907/rcmp-pushes-craigslist-100907/.
The full text of the letter and the list of signatories are below.
September 14, 2010
Sent via facsimile
Jim Buckmaster, CEO
Craig Newmark, Founder
Craigslist, Inc.
1381 9th Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94122
Dear Craig Newmark & Jim Buckmaster,
The experts in the anti-trafficking field who have signed this letter stand together asking you to shut down all the Adult and Erotic Services sections of your website around the world.
We all know that plenty of activity has preceded this letter. There have been meetings, news articles, research studies, protests, letters from survivors, blogs, boycotts, earnings estimates, lawsuits, subpoenas, and plenty of other actions. The voices of survivors, advocates, service providers, local law enforcement, members of Congress, and State Attorneys General have all implored you to do more to fight the sex trafficking of women and girls that occurs on your site.
We thank you for voluntarily closing the Adult Services section of Craigslist in the United States. While this is a positive step, Craigslist is a global company, and it has a global responsibility. More than 250 Craigslist sites exist around the world that still feature “Erotic” sections where trafficked children and women are being sold for sex through your website.
Of particular concern is your repeated statement that anti-trafficking “experts” are supportive of your approach. For example, in one of Jim Buckmaster’s online responses on the Huffington Post, he states, “To the contrary, we are convinced Craigslist is a vital part of the solution to this age-old scourge. We've been told as much by experts on the front lines of this fight…”
There are some who may want you to keep the Erotic Services sections going outside the United States for various reasons. Sex traffickers surely want you to keep the sections going because it helps them make high profits by advertising women and children to large audiences of paying customers. “Johns” who pay for commercial sex want you to keep the section because your site makes it easy and less risky for them to buy women and girls simply by surfing the Internet and perusing the photos on various ads. There may even be some law enforcement officials who see some value in placing decoy ads on your site, or using Craigslist ads as evidence in an investigation. However, we highly doubt that on balance, law enforcement would condone a venue that is a platform for the sex trafficking of women and children. The recent letter signed by 17 State Attorneys General strongly suggests that many law enforcement officials believe the best solution is to close the section, as you have done in the United States.
The signers of this letter are the experts on the issue of human trafficking. Many of us work on the front lines, directly with victims on a daily basis. Some of us are survivors of human trafficking.
With this letter, we are telling you that on the whole, Craigslist’s Adult and Erotic Services sections continue to be more part of the problem than part of the solution.
On the day that Craigslist shut down its Adult Services section in the United States, were the pimps and johns who depend on the site to advance the sex trade happy or upset? The answer to this question should help guide your path forward as you address the remaining “Erotic” sections around the world.
We acknowledge that there are some things that Craigslist has done that are part of the solution. Offering to meet with law enforcement and non-profits is a good thing. The decision to start screening the Adults Services ads was a step forward. Eliminating the blatant nudity that persisted in past years in the United States’ Erotic section was also a step forward. Posting national hotlines, and cooperating with law enforcement when cases are found is useful and laudable. As stated above, voluntarily shutting down the Adult Services section in the United States is also a step in the right direction. Despite such steps forward, these efforts are not enough.
We are deeply concerned that you have not yet taken down the Erotic Services sections across the globe. We are also concerned that it seems that you are not applying the screening techniques that were used in the United States to all the other Erotic Services sections worldwide. In changing the name of the Adult Services section from "Erotic" to "Adult" in the United States, why did you not implement this change globally across your entire site? Furthermore, for the “Adult Services” pages in the United States, there was a “Warning & Disclaimer” page that discusses human trafficking and sexual exploitation. This disclaimer page is also present for the “Erotic” sections in Canada. Yet, as of the date of this letter, there is no “Warning & Disclaimer” page for the other international “Erotic” pages. Nudity is also still present in the photos associated with some “Erotic” ads in the international pages. The reality that you have not made the same improvements globally across your site reveals a disingenuous and inconsistent response on your part. Moreover, the few helpful actions you have taken do not measure up to the amount of daily harm being facilitated by Craigslist through the thousands of Erotic Services ads around the world each day.
In a recent letter, Jim Buckmaster stated that human trafficking ads are “quite rare” on Craigslist. Based on our experience and collective knowledge, we know that the presence of human traffickers on your site is more frequent than you realize. Traffickers have figured out ways to post pictures of clothed women and children that can get past your screeners. The anti-trafficking field has yet to be presented with a meaningful solution of how you intend to guarantee that no children are being sexually exploited on your site. As a result, we ask that you take down the Adult or Erotic sections, wherever they appear on Craigslist.
Another important reality for you to realize is that law enforcement does not currently have the resources to review and conduct an investigation of every single Adult or Erotic Services ad on your site. The sheer volume of ads outpaces law enforcement's ability to respond to each one. Consequently, maintaining the Erotic Services sections in other countries enables the majority of Erotic ads to thrive without a law enforcement deterrent. Cooperating with law enforcement when a rare case is brought is a short-term solution, not reflective of an overall systemic analysis of the crime problem that you are enabling.
You have asserted that removing the Adult or Erotic Services sections will not entirely eliminate the presence of sex ads on your site. This may be true, but eliminating the centralized thoroughfares of each designated "Erotic Services" section seriously disrupts pimps and johns who buy and sell women and children on Craigslist. Closing this section of Craigslist across the globe will send a clear signal to sexual predators that you will not stand for them using the site to sexually exploit children and women.
You argue that there are other online sites that advertise sex ads. Yes, the signers of this letter are aware of other sites with adult ads, and we are working to address those sites as well. But frankly, the user volume and name recognition of those sites pales in comparison to yours. They are not a household name like Craigslist.
We collectively feel that if you are seriously committed to ending the site’s use as a platform for sex trafficking of women and children, you will apply the same approach you recently took in the United States and immediately close the remaining Erotic sections around the world.
If you continue to keep the Erotic sections outside of the United States, we ask that you at least be honest and more specific about the reasons why you are keeping them. After receiving this letter, please do not claim that it is because anti-trafficking “experts” agree with you and wholly support your approach.
In closing, we note that in one of Jim Buckmaster’s recent letters, he asked the question: “Would it not be a step backward to confine adult ads to venues that don't cooperate with law enforcement, that don't care what advocacy groups and nonprofits have to say?”
This statement seems to indicate that Craigslist does care what advocacy groups and nonprofits have to say, more than other venues. If this is true, then you must care about this letter. Please hear what we have to say, read the signers of this letter, and recognize that the anti-trafficking field is standing with solidarity and unity, and collectively asking you to take down all the Adult and Erotic sections worldwide, completely and permanently.
SIGNED:
Bradley Myles
Executive Director & CEO
Polaris Project
Malika Saada Saar
Executive Director & Founder
The Rebecca Project for Human Rights
Eliza Reock
Executive Director
Harold & Kayrita Anderson Family Foundation
Carol Smolenski
Executive Director & Co-Founder
ECPAT-USA
Linda Smith (U.S. Congress 1994-98)
Founder & President
Shared Hope International
Kaffie McCullough
Campaign Director
A Future. Not A Past.
Jennifer & Peter Buffett
Co-Chairs
NoVo Foundation
Lisa L. Thompson
Liaison for the Abolition of Sexual Trafficking
The Salvation Army – National Headquarters, USA
Suzanne Koepplinger
Executive Director
Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center (MIWRC)
Lee Rope-Batker
President & Chief Executive Officer
Women’s Foundation of Minnesota
Vednita Carter
Executive Director & Founder
Breaking Free
Andrea Powell
Executive Director & Co-Founder
FAIR Fund
Norma Ramos, Esq.
Executive Director
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW)
Kevin Bales
President & Co-founder
Free the Slaves
Rachel Lloyd
Founder & Executive Director
Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS)
Laura J. Lederer
President
Global Centurion
William Livermore
Executive Director
Somaly Mam Foundation
Maria A. Trujillo
Executive Director
Houston Rescue & Restore Coalition
Sonia Ossorio
Executive Director
National Organization for Women, New York City Chapter (NOW-NYC)
Amb. Mark P. Lagon
International Relations Chair
Georgetown University MSFS Program
Tina Frundt
Executive Director & Founder
Courtney’s House
Michele Garnett McKenzie
Director of Advocacy
The Advocates for Human Rights
Rachel Durchslag
Executive Director
Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE)
Marisa Ugarte
Executive Director
Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition (BSCC)
Lisa Goldblatt Grace
Program Director
My Life, My Choice
Frank Massolini
Director
PROMISE Program
The Salvation Army
Laura Penny
Executive Director
Women’s Foundation of Southern Arizona
Frank N. Barnaba
Founder & President
The Barnaba Institute
Debi M. Harris
Chief Executive Officer
Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade
Carol B. Penick
Executive Director
Women’s Fund of Mississippi
Dorchen A. Leidholdt
Director, Center for Battered Women’s Legal Services
Sanctuary for Families
Elaine Maly
Executive Director
Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee
Central Ohio Rescue & Restore Coalition
Cassondra Johnson Blackbird
Executive Director
Sexual Assault Program of Beltrami, Cass & Hubbard Counties
Chris Newlin
Executive Director
National Children’s Advocacy Center
Heather Arnet
Chief Executive Officer
Women & Girls Foundation of Southwest Pennsylvania
Donna M. Hughes
Professor & Carlson Endowed Chair
Women’s Studies Program
University of Rhode Island
Sharon Simpson-Joseph
Executive Director
Juvenile Justice Fund
Marissa Castellanos
Human Trafficking Project Manager
Catholic Charities of Louisville
Michelle Miller
Executive Director
Resist Exploitation, Embrace Dignity (REED)
Ronna L. Bright
Project Coordinator
Central Valley Against Human Trafficking & Central Valley Freedom Coalition
Tania DoCarmo
Director & Vice President
Chab Dai USA
Helen Sworn
Director & Founder
Chab Dai Coalition
Kristy Childs
Executive Director & Founder
Veronica’s Voice
Mark & Keisha Hoerner
Ethical Living, Inc.
Sara K. Gould
President & CEO
Ms. Foundation for Women
Diana Mao
President
NOMI Network
Melanie Shapiro
Co-Founder
Citizens Against Trafficking
Mary Frances Bowley
President
Wellspring Living, Inc.
Jennifer Mitchell
Assistant Director PROMISE Program
The Salvation Army
Anne Lee
President & CEO
Darkness to Light
Daria Mueller
Policy Specialist
Prostitution Alternatives Round Table (PART) of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
Glenda L. McClendon
Office Manager
PACE Center for Girls, Inc.
Barbara Mosacchio
Chief Executive Officer
Atlanta Women’s Foundation
Gordon Heller
Chair, Steering Committee
Dayton Southeast Weed & Seed Project
Dr. Daniel Bercu
President
Doctors at War on Trafficking in Persons
Colette Bercu
Director
Free for Life International
Carol Arthur
Executive Director
Domestic Abuse Project
Marcia Coné
Executive Director
Women’s Fund of Rhode Island
Kara Fagan
Director
The Women’s Fund of Great Chattanooga
Nicola Goren
President
Washington Area Women’s Foundation
Charlotte Boatwright
President
Chattanooga Domestic Violence Coalition
Emily Fitchpatrick
Founder & President
On Eagles Wings Ministries & The Hope House
Pam Strickland
Founder
Eastern North Carolina Stop Human Trafficking Now
Victor Vieth
Director
National Child Protection Training Center (NCPTC)
Madeliene H. Dobbins
Director & Chief Administrative Officer
Delta Research & Educational Foundation
Deborah Sigmund
Founder & Director
Innocents at Risk
Benjamin Nolot
Founder
Exodus Cry
Sidney Ford
Director & Founder
You Are Never Alone (YANA)
Jeff Bauer
Director Public Policy & Civic Engagement
The Family Partnership
Anna Rodriguez
Executive Director & Founder
Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking
Melissa Gifford
Executive Director & DVTF Team Coordinator
Four Points, Inc.
Kathryn Xian
Non-Executive Director & Founder
Girl Fest Hawaii
Stephanie Davis
Executive Director
Georgia Women for Change, Inc.
Stacia Freeman
Executive Director
The Home Foundation
Erik Voss
Executive Director
The International Center of Atlanta
Sandra J. Robinson
Program Coordinator
Western Kentucky Refugee Mutual Assistance
The International Center of Bowling & Owensboro
Danelle Ragoonanan-Storph
Director
Project Rescue & Assist New Americans
International Institute of Connecticut, Inc.
Kathy Maskell
US Prevention Advisor
Love146
End Internet Trafficking Coalition
Marie Morin
Eastern Regional Director
Long Island Task Force
Love146
The Lucas County Human Trafficking Coalition
Donna Dunn
Executive Director
Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MNCASA)
Cyndi Cook
Executive Director
Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women
Claudia Barlow
Chair of the Board
Miramed
Jeannette Pai-Espinosa
President
The National Crittenton Foundation
Veronica Lamb
Outreach Director
Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery
Sandra L. Hollett
Chief Executive Officer
Partnership for Families, Children & Adults
Dianne Post
Attorney
Phoenix Women Take Back the Night
Kristyn Komarnicki
Editor
PRISM Magazine
Evangelicals for Social Action
Candice Harshner
Executive Director
Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA)
Donna Sabella
Director
Project Phoenix
Trisha Smouse
Anti-Human Trafficking Program Manager
The Salvation Army of Central Ohio
Amy L. Hartman
Diaconal Minister & National Director
Cherish Our Children
Kathie Logan
Program Manager
Sexual Assault Center of NWGA
8th Day Center for Justice
Cordelia Anderson
Co-Director
Sexual Health & Responsibility Program (SHARP)
Renee Morrison
Chairman & Founder
In My Backyard Foundation
Gregory Marx
Director
In My Backyard Foundation
Adeyemi Oshodi
Director of Anti-Trafficking Programs
World Hope International (WHI)
Ann Buwulda
President
Jubilee Campaign USA
Serena Connelly
Co-Founder
Human Rights Initiative of North Texas
Holy Union Sisters
Central Dallas Ministries
sorry... took me longer than I thought, again...
as already said, I hope the group succeeds and am glad to post the press release on my blog; will also post my take on what I see as the current issues, in a separate entry...D.
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Andrea Austin
202-425-2307
aaustin@polarisproject.org
Craigslist Must Complete the Job
In Advance of Congressional Hearing Where Craigslist Will Testify,
100 Experts Send Letter to Craigslist Insisting It Close Erotic Sections Worldwide
WASHINGTON, September 14, 2010—On the eve of a Congressional hearing on the sex trafficking of children, 100 leading anti-trafficking experts and organizations sent a letter to Craigslist founder Craig Newmark and CEO Jim Buckmaster calling for the immediate, permanent and complete removal of all Craigslist Adult and Erotic Services sections, worldwide. While these sections were closed in the United States, they remain open in more than 250 cities around the world.
Tomorrow, September 15, 2010, the House of Representatives’ Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security will hear testimony from law enforcement, advocacy groups, and Members of Congress who will speak on child sex trafficking in general and Craigslist’s continuing role as a platform that enables it. William Powell, Director of Customer Service and Law Enforcement Relations for Craigslist, and Elizabeth McDougall, Craigslist’s legal counsel, are scheduled to testify at the hearing.
Here are some highlights from the letter:
We thank you for voluntarily closing the Adult Services section of Craigslist in the United States. While this is a positive step, Craigslist is a global company, and it has a global responsibility. More than 250 Craigslist sites exist around the world that still feature “Erotic” sections where trafficked children and women are being sold for sex.
That you have not made the same improvements globally across your site reveals a disingenuous and inconsistent response on your part. Moreover, the few helpful actions you have taken do not measure up to the amount of daily harm being facilitated by Craigslist through the thousands of Erotic Services ads around the world each day.
The anti-trafficking field is standing with solidarity and unity, and collectively asking you to take down all the Adult and Erotic sections worldwide, completely and permanently.
The letter comes as international law enforcement officials have begun calling on Craigslist to follow through on its commitment to end the sexual trafficking of children and women. Last week, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police called on Craigslist to close the section in Canada: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20100907/rcmp-pushes-craigslist-100907/.
The full text of the letter and the list of signatories are below.
September 14, 2010
Sent via facsimile
Jim Buckmaster, CEO
Craig Newmark, Founder
Craigslist, Inc.
1381 9th Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94122
Dear Craig Newmark & Jim Buckmaster,
The experts in the anti-trafficking field who have signed this letter stand together asking you to shut down all the Adult and Erotic Services sections of your website around the world.
We all know that plenty of activity has preceded this letter. There have been meetings, news articles, research studies, protests, letters from survivors, blogs, boycotts, earnings estimates, lawsuits, subpoenas, and plenty of other actions. The voices of survivors, advocates, service providers, local law enforcement, members of Congress, and State Attorneys General have all implored you to do more to fight the sex trafficking of women and girls that occurs on your site.
We thank you for voluntarily closing the Adult Services section of Craigslist in the United States. While this is a positive step, Craigslist is a global company, and it has a global responsibility. More than 250 Craigslist sites exist around the world that still feature “Erotic” sections where trafficked children and women are being sold for sex through your website.
Of particular concern is your repeated statement that anti-trafficking “experts” are supportive of your approach. For example, in one of Jim Buckmaster’s online responses on the Huffington Post, he states, “To the contrary, we are convinced Craigslist is a vital part of the solution to this age-old scourge. We've been told as much by experts on the front lines of this fight…”
There are some who may want you to keep the Erotic Services sections going outside the United States for various reasons. Sex traffickers surely want you to keep the sections going because it helps them make high profits by advertising women and children to large audiences of paying customers. “Johns” who pay for commercial sex want you to keep the section because your site makes it easy and less risky for them to buy women and girls simply by surfing the Internet and perusing the photos on various ads. There may even be some law enforcement officials who see some value in placing decoy ads on your site, or using Craigslist ads as evidence in an investigation. However, we highly doubt that on balance, law enforcement would condone a venue that is a platform for the sex trafficking of women and children. The recent letter signed by 17 State Attorneys General strongly suggests that many law enforcement officials believe the best solution is to close the section, as you have done in the United States.
The signers of this letter are the experts on the issue of human trafficking. Many of us work on the front lines, directly with victims on a daily basis. Some of us are survivors of human trafficking.
With this letter, we are telling you that on the whole, Craigslist’s Adult and Erotic Services sections continue to be more part of the problem than part of the solution.
On the day that Craigslist shut down its Adult Services section in the United States, were the pimps and johns who depend on the site to advance the sex trade happy or upset? The answer to this question should help guide your path forward as you address the remaining “Erotic” sections around the world.
We acknowledge that there are some things that Craigslist has done that are part of the solution. Offering to meet with law enforcement and non-profits is a good thing. The decision to start screening the Adults Services ads was a step forward. Eliminating the blatant nudity that persisted in past years in the United States’ Erotic section was also a step forward. Posting national hotlines, and cooperating with law enforcement when cases are found is useful and laudable. As stated above, voluntarily shutting down the Adult Services section in the United States is also a step in the right direction. Despite such steps forward, these efforts are not enough.
We are deeply concerned that you have not yet taken down the Erotic Services sections across the globe. We are also concerned that it seems that you are not applying the screening techniques that were used in the United States to all the other Erotic Services sections worldwide. In changing the name of the Adult Services section from "Erotic" to "Adult" in the United States, why did you not implement this change globally across your entire site? Furthermore, for the “Adult Services” pages in the United States, there was a “Warning & Disclaimer” page that discusses human trafficking and sexual exploitation. This disclaimer page is also present for the “Erotic” sections in Canada. Yet, as of the date of this letter, there is no “Warning & Disclaimer” page for the other international “Erotic” pages. Nudity is also still present in the photos associated with some “Erotic” ads in the international pages. The reality that you have not made the same improvements globally across your site reveals a disingenuous and inconsistent response on your part. Moreover, the few helpful actions you have taken do not measure up to the amount of daily harm being facilitated by Craigslist through the thousands of Erotic Services ads around the world each day.
In a recent letter, Jim Buckmaster stated that human trafficking ads are “quite rare” on Craigslist. Based on our experience and collective knowledge, we know that the presence of human traffickers on your site is more frequent than you realize. Traffickers have figured out ways to post pictures of clothed women and children that can get past your screeners. The anti-trafficking field has yet to be presented with a meaningful solution of how you intend to guarantee that no children are being sexually exploited on your site. As a result, we ask that you take down the Adult or Erotic sections, wherever they appear on Craigslist.
Another important reality for you to realize is that law enforcement does not currently have the resources to review and conduct an investigation of every single Adult or Erotic Services ad on your site. The sheer volume of ads outpaces law enforcement's ability to respond to each one. Consequently, maintaining the Erotic Services sections in other countries enables the majority of Erotic ads to thrive without a law enforcement deterrent. Cooperating with law enforcement when a rare case is brought is a short-term solution, not reflective of an overall systemic analysis of the crime problem that you are enabling.
You have asserted that removing the Adult or Erotic Services sections will not entirely eliminate the presence of sex ads on your site. This may be true, but eliminating the centralized thoroughfares of each designated "Erotic Services" section seriously disrupts pimps and johns who buy and sell women and children on Craigslist. Closing this section of Craigslist across the globe will send a clear signal to sexual predators that you will not stand for them using the site to sexually exploit children and women.
You argue that there are other online sites that advertise sex ads. Yes, the signers of this letter are aware of other sites with adult ads, and we are working to address those sites as well. But frankly, the user volume and name recognition of those sites pales in comparison to yours. They are not a household name like Craigslist.
We collectively feel that if you are seriously committed to ending the site’s use as a platform for sex trafficking of women and children, you will apply the same approach you recently took in the United States and immediately close the remaining Erotic sections around the world.
If you continue to keep the Erotic sections outside of the United States, we ask that you at least be honest and more specific about the reasons why you are keeping them. After receiving this letter, please do not claim that it is because anti-trafficking “experts” agree with you and wholly support your approach.
In closing, we note that in one of Jim Buckmaster’s recent letters, he asked the question: “Would it not be a step backward to confine adult ads to venues that don't cooperate with law enforcement, that don't care what advocacy groups and nonprofits have to say?”
This statement seems to indicate that Craigslist does care what advocacy groups and nonprofits have to say, more than other venues. If this is true, then you must care about this letter. Please hear what we have to say, read the signers of this letter, and recognize that the anti-trafficking field is standing with solidarity and unity, and collectively asking you to take down all the Adult and Erotic sections worldwide, completely and permanently.
SIGNED:
Bradley Myles
Executive Director & CEO
Polaris Project
Malika Saada Saar
Executive Director & Founder
The Rebecca Project for Human Rights
Eliza Reock
Executive Director
Harold & Kayrita Anderson Family Foundation
Carol Smolenski
Executive Director & Co-Founder
ECPAT-USA
Linda Smith (U.S. Congress 1994-98)
Founder & President
Shared Hope International
Kaffie McCullough
Campaign Director
A Future. Not A Past.
Jennifer & Peter Buffett
Co-Chairs
NoVo Foundation
Lisa L. Thompson
Liaison for the Abolition of Sexual Trafficking
The Salvation Army – National Headquarters, USA
Suzanne Koepplinger
Executive Director
Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center (MIWRC)
Lee Rope-Batker
President & Chief Executive Officer
Women’s Foundation of Minnesota
Vednita Carter
Executive Director & Founder
Breaking Free
Andrea Powell
Executive Director & Co-Founder
FAIR Fund
Norma Ramos, Esq.
Executive Director
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW)
Kevin Bales
President & Co-founder
Free the Slaves
Rachel Lloyd
Founder & Executive Director
Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS)
Laura J. Lederer
President
Global Centurion
William Livermore
Executive Director
Somaly Mam Foundation
Maria A. Trujillo
Executive Director
Houston Rescue & Restore Coalition
Sonia Ossorio
Executive Director
National Organization for Women, New York City Chapter (NOW-NYC)
Amb. Mark P. Lagon
International Relations Chair
Georgetown University MSFS Program
Tina Frundt
Executive Director & Founder
Courtney’s House
Michele Garnett McKenzie
Director of Advocacy
The Advocates for Human Rights
Rachel Durchslag
Executive Director
Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE)
Marisa Ugarte
Executive Director
Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition (BSCC)
Lisa Goldblatt Grace
Program Director
My Life, My Choice
Frank Massolini
Director
PROMISE Program
The Salvation Army
Laura Penny
Executive Director
Women’s Foundation of Southern Arizona
Frank N. Barnaba
Founder & President
The Barnaba Institute
Debi M. Harris
Chief Executive Officer
Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade
Carol B. Penick
Executive Director
Women’s Fund of Mississippi
Dorchen A. Leidholdt
Director, Center for Battered Women’s Legal Services
Sanctuary for Families
Elaine Maly
Executive Director
Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee
Central Ohio Rescue & Restore Coalition
Cassondra Johnson Blackbird
Executive Director
Sexual Assault Program of Beltrami, Cass & Hubbard Counties
Chris Newlin
Executive Director
National Children’s Advocacy Center
Heather Arnet
Chief Executive Officer
Women & Girls Foundation of Southwest Pennsylvania
Donna M. Hughes
Professor & Carlson Endowed Chair
Women’s Studies Program
University of Rhode Island
Sharon Simpson-Joseph
Executive Director
Juvenile Justice Fund
Marissa Castellanos
Human Trafficking Project Manager
Catholic Charities of Louisville
Michelle Miller
Executive Director
Resist Exploitation, Embrace Dignity (REED)
Ronna L. Bright
Project Coordinator
Central Valley Against Human Trafficking & Central Valley Freedom Coalition
Tania DoCarmo
Director & Vice President
Chab Dai USA
Helen Sworn
Director & Founder
Chab Dai Coalition
Kristy Childs
Executive Director & Founder
Veronica’s Voice
Mark & Keisha Hoerner
Ethical Living, Inc.
Sara K. Gould
President & CEO
Ms. Foundation for Women
Diana Mao
President
NOMI Network
Melanie Shapiro
Co-Founder
Citizens Against Trafficking
Mary Frances Bowley
President
Wellspring Living, Inc.
Jennifer Mitchell
Assistant Director PROMISE Program
The Salvation Army
Anne Lee
President & CEO
Darkness to Light
Daria Mueller
Policy Specialist
Prostitution Alternatives Round Table (PART) of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
Glenda L. McClendon
Office Manager
PACE Center for Girls, Inc.
Barbara Mosacchio
Chief Executive Officer
Atlanta Women’s Foundation
Gordon Heller
Chair, Steering Committee
Dayton Southeast Weed & Seed Project
Dr. Daniel Bercu
President
Doctors at War on Trafficking in Persons
Colette Bercu
Director
Free for Life International
Carol Arthur
Executive Director
Domestic Abuse Project
Marcia Coné
Executive Director
Women’s Fund of Rhode Island
Kara Fagan
Director
The Women’s Fund of Great Chattanooga
Nicola Goren
President
Washington Area Women’s Foundation
Charlotte Boatwright
President
Chattanooga Domestic Violence Coalition
Emily Fitchpatrick
Founder & President
On Eagles Wings Ministries & The Hope House
Pam Strickland
Founder
Eastern North Carolina Stop Human Trafficking Now
Victor Vieth
Director
National Child Protection Training Center (NCPTC)
Madeliene H. Dobbins
Director & Chief Administrative Officer
Delta Research & Educational Foundation
Deborah Sigmund
Founder & Director
Innocents at Risk
Benjamin Nolot
Founder
Exodus Cry
Sidney Ford
Director & Founder
You Are Never Alone (YANA)
Jeff Bauer
Director Public Policy & Civic Engagement
The Family Partnership
Anna Rodriguez
Executive Director & Founder
Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking
Melissa Gifford
Executive Director & DVTF Team Coordinator
Four Points, Inc.
Kathryn Xian
Non-Executive Director & Founder
Girl Fest Hawaii
Stephanie Davis
Executive Director
Georgia Women for Change, Inc.
Stacia Freeman
Executive Director
The Home Foundation
Erik Voss
Executive Director
The International Center of Atlanta
Sandra J. Robinson
Program Coordinator
Western Kentucky Refugee Mutual Assistance
The International Center of Bowling & Owensboro
Danelle Ragoonanan-Storph
Director
Project Rescue & Assist New Americans
International Institute of Connecticut, Inc.
Kathy Maskell
US Prevention Advisor
Love146
End Internet Trafficking Coalition
Marie Morin
Eastern Regional Director
Long Island Task Force
Love146
The Lucas County Human Trafficking Coalition
Donna Dunn
Executive Director
Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MNCASA)
Cyndi Cook
Executive Director
Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women
Claudia Barlow
Chair of the Board
Miramed
Jeannette Pai-Espinosa
President
The National Crittenton Foundation
Veronica Lamb
Outreach Director
Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery
Sandra L. Hollett
Chief Executive Officer
Partnership for Families, Children & Adults
Dianne Post
Attorney
Phoenix Women Take Back the Night
Kristyn Komarnicki
Editor
PRISM Magazine
Evangelicals for Social Action
Candice Harshner
Executive Director
Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA)
Donna Sabella
Director
Project Phoenix
Trisha Smouse
Anti-Human Trafficking Program Manager
The Salvation Army of Central Ohio
Amy L. Hartman
Diaconal Minister & National Director
Cherish Our Children
Kathie Logan
Program Manager
Sexual Assault Center of NWGA
8th Day Center for Justice
Cordelia Anderson
Co-Director
Sexual Health & Responsibility Program (SHARP)
Renee Morrison
Chairman & Founder
In My Backyard Foundation
Gregory Marx
Director
In My Backyard Foundation
Adeyemi Oshodi
Director of Anti-Trafficking Programs
World Hope International (WHI)
Ann Buwulda
President
Jubilee Campaign USA
Serena Connelly
Co-Founder
Human Rights Initiative of North Texas
Holy Union Sisters
Central Dallas Ministries
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Conference call tomorrow (9/8) at 11 AM EST on Craigslist and Adult Services Section
UPDATE
MORE: sorry I couldn't make it! (turned out to be one crazy day); will try to post this weekend about the international issue
Delia
P.S. pleased to see the group is giving craigslist the chance to join the good fight (whatever the history, it is most important that things go as well as possible from now on) D.
Delia,
That sounds great. If you would like to listen into the call or ask any questions, I can send you the call in. Otherwise, we would appreciate, very much, the posting.
K
Katherine Miller
Managing Director
Hattaway Communications
m: +1 202 489 2205
s: kmillerdc
e: katherine@hattawaycommunications.com
www.hattawaycommunications.com
Sent from my iPhone
On Sep 7, 2010, at 7:53 PM, dperiod wrote:
> Hi Brad and Katherine! Thanks for letting me know... It's just that I'm not quite sure what this is asking from me, if anything. Although I've been blogging about craigslist for quite a while, I am not at all "credentialed press" and do not travel in order to get info about craigslist. Part of it is the fact that I need to preserve my privacy (my blogs would look very different if I thought I'd give up my privacy at some point). I do wish you success and would be glad to post the press release on my blog if you'd like that! Let me know if I can help with anything else... thanks! ~Delia
>
> ----- Original message -----
> Sent: 2010/09/07 17:59:51
> Subject: Re: Conference call tomorrow (9/8) at 11 AM EST on Craigslist and Adult Services Section
>
> I hope that you will be able to join Malika Saada Saar, from the Rebecca Project, and Bradley Myles, from Polaris Project, for a call focused on Craigslist's recent decision to close down the US-based Adult Services section and continuing efforts to encourage Craigslist to take additional steps to address global sex trafficking. Details are below. The statement they released today is also pasted below, for your information.
>
> If you have any questions, please let me know.
>
> Katherine Miller
> Managing Director
> Hattaway Communications
> e: kmiller@hattaway.com
> m: +1 202 489 2205
> s: kmillerdc
> www.hattaway.com
>
>
>
> MEDIA ADVISORY
>
>
>
>
>
> What: Press conference call with:
>
> Bradley Myles, Executive Director, Polaris Project
>
> Malika Saada Saar, Executive Director, Rebecca Project for Human Rights
>
>
>
> About: Sex trafficking on Craigslist
>
> When: Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010 11:00 AM EST
>
> Dial-in: Credentialed press only. RSVP to acole@hattaway.com for dial-in code.
>
>
> Statement on Craigslist
>
>
>
>
>
>
> For Immediate Release: Contact: Bradley Myles
>
> September 7, 2010 Polaris Project
>
> 202-507-7956
>
>
>
> Anti-Trafficking Experts Call for Craigslist to Close Adult Services Outside the U.S.
>
>
>
>
>
> WASHINGTON — Four leading organizations that work on ending the sex trafficking of children and young women issued the following statement in response to Craigslist’s decision to close its adult service section in the United States:
>
>
>
> “We thank Craig Newmark and Jim Buckmaster for voluntarily closing the adult services section of Craigslist in the United States. As the largest classified ads site to have an adult services section, Craigslist has become a major marketplace for buying and selling sex with children and young women. An FBI investigation found 2,800 ads selling sex with children in the adult services section in 2008 alone. Closing this section of Craigslist sends a clear signal to sexual predators that it will not stand for them using the site to sexually enslave children and young women.”
>
>
>
> “While this is a good first step in the U.S., there are still more than 250 other Craigslist ‘erotic’ pages around the world where children and young women are still being sold for sex through Craigslist. Craigslist is a global company, and it has a global responsibility. It should immediately shut down the ‘erotic’ services sections across the globe.” [In many areas, “adult services” is called “erotic services.”]
>
>
>
> “We hope that closing this section only in the U.S. was not simply a PR move in advance of a Congressional hearing on September 15th on sex trafficking where Craigslist has been called to testify. If Craigslist is seriously committed to ending the site’s use as a platform for sex trafficking and the sexual enslavement of children and young women, it will immediately close the remaining sections around the world.”
>
>
>
> Signed,
>
> Polaris Project, Rebecca Project for Human Rights, FAIR Fund, Courtney’s House
MORE: sorry I couldn't make it! (turned out to be one crazy day); will try to post this weekend about the international issue
Delia
P.S. pleased to see the group is giving craigslist the chance to join the good fight (whatever the history, it is most important that things go as well as possible from now on) D.
Delia,
That sounds great. If you would like to listen into the call or ask any questions, I can send you the call in. Otherwise, we would appreciate, very much, the posting.
K
Katherine Miller
Managing Director
Hattaway Communications
m: +1 202 489 2205
s: kmillerdc
e: katherine@hattawaycommunications.com
www.hattawaycommunications.com
Sent from my iPhone
On Sep 7, 2010, at 7:53 PM, dperiod
> Hi Brad and Katherine! Thanks for letting me know... It's just that I'm not quite sure what this is asking from me, if anything. Although I've been blogging about craigslist for quite a while, I am not at all "credentialed press" and do not travel in order to get info about craigslist. Part of it is the fact that I need to preserve my privacy (my blogs would look very different if I thought I'd give up my privacy at some point). I do wish you success and would be glad to post the press release on my blog if you'd like that! Let me know if I can help with anything else... thanks! ~Delia
>
> ----- Original message -----
> Sent: 2010/09/07 17:59:51
> Subject: Re: Conference call tomorrow (9/8) at 11 AM EST on Craigslist and Adult Services Section
>
> I hope that you will be able to join Malika Saada Saar, from the Rebecca Project, and Bradley Myles, from Polaris Project, for a call focused on Craigslist's recent decision to close down the US-based Adult Services section and continuing efforts to encourage Craigslist to take additional steps to address global sex trafficking. Details are below. The statement they released today is also pasted below, for your information.
>
> If you have any questions, please let me know.
>
> Katherine Miller
> Managing Director
> Hattaway Communications
> e: kmiller@hattaway.com
> m: +1 202 489 2205
> s: kmillerdc
> www.hattaway.com
>
>
>
> MEDIA ADVISORY
>
>
>
>
>
> What: Press conference call with:
>
> Bradley Myles, Executive Director, Polaris Project
>
> Malika Saada Saar, Executive Director, Rebecca Project for Human Rights
>
>
>
> About: Sex trafficking on Craigslist
>
> When: Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010 11:00 AM EST
>
> Dial-in: Credentialed press only. RSVP to acole@hattaway.com for dial-in code.
>
>
> Statement on Craigslist
>
>
>
>
>
>
> For Immediate Release: Contact: Bradley Myles
>
> September 7, 2010 Polaris Project
>
> 202-507-7956
>
>
>
> Anti-Trafficking Experts Call for Craigslist to Close Adult Services Outside the U.S.
>
>
>
>
>
> WASHINGTON — Four leading organizations that work on ending the sex trafficking of children and young women issued the following statement in response to Craigslist’s decision to close its adult service section in the United States:
>
>
>
> “We thank Craig Newmark and Jim Buckmaster for voluntarily closing the adult services section of Craigslist in the United States. As the largest classified ads site to have an adult services section, Craigslist has become a major marketplace for buying and selling sex with children and young women. An FBI investigation found 2,800 ads selling sex with children in the adult services section in 2008 alone. Closing this section of Craigslist sends a clear signal to sexual predators that it will not stand for them using the site to sexually enslave children and young women.”
>
>
>
> “While this is a good first step in the U.S., there are still more than 250 other Craigslist ‘erotic’ pages around the world where children and young women are still being sold for sex through Craigslist. Craigslist is a global company, and it has a global responsibility. It should immediately shut down the ‘erotic’ services sections across the globe.” [In many areas, “adult services” is called “erotic services.”]
>
>
>
> “We hope that closing this section only in the U.S. was not simply a PR move in advance of a Congressional hearing on September 15th on sex trafficking where Craigslist has been called to testify. If Craigslist is seriously committed to ending the site’s use as a platform for sex trafficking and the sexual enslavement of children and young women, it will immediately close the remaining sections around the world.”
>
>
>
> Signed,
>
> Polaris Project, Rebecca Project for Human Rights, FAIR Fund, Courtney’s House
Monday, September 6, 2010
craigslist sycophants are speeding up the changing of the law believed to allow craigslist to worsen all sort of ills
...and no major overhaul would be needed, just to specify what to me appears to be obvious: that if you *know* (or should reasonably know) that things like child trafficking are rampant on your site, you HAVE TO adequately screen in order to get rid of those ads! and that goes for *all* your site... D.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
(craigslist's role in increased prostitution/child trafficking) I just don't get Jeff Jarvis...
MORE: I don't know if I should be surprised... Jeff Jarvis didn't post my comment (comment number 423908): on the one hand, he's never acted coardish towards me in the past (maybe I didn't give him much of a chance, I don't know, just posted lightly on his blog few years back), on the other hand Craig probably leaned on him as usual... D.
http://www.buzzmachine.com/2010/09/05/regulating-sex-and-speech/#comment-423908
re: "The argument has been that craigslist ads are used to serve human sex trafficking. Except craigslist has been openly and consistently helping police in their efforts to arrest traffickers"
Jeff, I'm trying to understand you but I'm having a really hard time...
Just what do you think is the percentage of traffickers that *can* be apprehended? The police has very limited resources...I somehow doubt you don't know that.
How does the minute percentage of those apprehended compare with the increase in such crimes due to the ease of accomplishing the crime with craigslist's help (the most efficient known way to advertise -- 3 times more efficient than places like backpage)?
Providing a very efficient place for initiating prostitution (including trafficking of children) is almost surely dramatically increasing the amount of overall harm. Generally, the harder it is to commit the crime, the less of it actually happens... none of this is rocket science.
Delia
P.S. are the other places just as responsible? absolutely... just for significantly less added harm (perhaps not for lack of trying, they are just nowhere as efficient); as with most harms, the police/government just can't uniformly go after all of them, so the bigger fish are rightly getting the most attention (craigslist's feedback forum used to tell craigslisters who were complaining that their ad got removed while others also in violation remained on the site that if you are speeding you should expect a ticket even if not everybody gets a ticket -- it's funny how they forget when they are the ones speeding three times faster than anybody else around). D.
http://www.buzzmachine.com/2010/09/05/regulating-sex-and-speech/#comment-423908
re: "The argument has been that craigslist ads are used to serve human sex trafficking. Except craigslist has been openly and consistently helping police in their efforts to arrest traffickers"
Jeff, I'm trying to understand you but I'm having a really hard time...
Just what do you think is the percentage of traffickers that *can* be apprehended? The police has very limited resources...I somehow doubt you don't know that.
How does the minute percentage of those apprehended compare with the increase in such crimes due to the ease of accomplishing the crime with craigslist's help (the most efficient known way to advertise -- 3 times more efficient than places like backpage)?
Providing a very efficient place for initiating prostitution (including trafficking of children) is almost surely dramatically increasing the amount of overall harm. Generally, the harder it is to commit the crime, the less of it actually happens... none of this is rocket science.
Delia
P.S. are the other places just as responsible? absolutely... just for significantly less added harm (perhaps not for lack of trying, they are just nowhere as efficient); as with most harms, the police/government just can't uniformly go after all of them, so the bigger fish are rightly getting the most attention (craigslist's feedback forum used to tell craigslisters who were complaining that their ad got removed while others also in violation remained on the site that if you are speeding you should expect a ticket even if not everybody gets a ticket -- it's funny how they forget when they are the ones speeding three times faster than anybody else around). D.
Friday, September 3, 2010
unlisted craigslist erotic/adult services review forum???
MORE: Anderson Cooper didn't care to "sit down with Craig/Jim" (left Amber Lyons finish the reporting on the evening of September 6th); did they think he was going to jump to "the honor" or... something else?; there were some articles suggesting Craig/Jim were looking for a way to meet Anderson *socially*... ("for coffee")... Anderson is believed to be gay but, unlike Craig, he gives no reason for making his sexuality known (no publicly known girlfriend or the like); on the other hand, posts claiming Craig is gay still frequently appear on craigslist...
the latest: http://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/rnr/1881490918.html
...
didn't know it existed! (link of http://www.forumslister.com/)
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/forums/?forumID=6996
I guess nothing should surprise...(certainly looks like good evidence for aiding & abetting -- let me know what you think! it is moderated, certain posts have been deleted by staff showing they KNOW what's going on in there; you can find explicit discussions and suggestions of particular "providers" and there is enough detail to see what the "services" are (e.g.); there used to be posted pictures, one poster says...)
thanks to slinkybender!: "They have, in fact, explicitly created "secret" discussion forums for johns on their website -- unadvertised locations set aside from among the 10,000 possible forums available on their servers -- and those forums have been highly active for years."
Delia
P.S. if you have time, listen to the short Jim Buckmaster video (just to see how much wholesomeness he is trying to project) and read the Guardian article where he says they make sure all ads are ok and the comments (two from craigslist users are excellent):
"You've agreed to do more screening of ads. Is that going to change the way you run?
JB: In this one category, we are manually screening each ad to ensure that it's fully compliant before it reaches the site. We're not counting the cost there and we're staffing that function as appropriate and as needed to ensure that every ad is fully screened."
No wonder they are pissed with Amber Lyons...and are trying to get someoneELSE to talk to...
the latest: http://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/rnr/1881490918.html
...
didn't know it existed! (link of http://www.forumslister.com/)
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/forums/?forumID=6996
I guess nothing should surprise...(certainly looks like good evidence for aiding & abetting -- let me know what you think! it is moderated, certain posts have been deleted by staff showing they KNOW what's going on in there; you can find explicit discussions and suggestions of particular "providers" and there is enough detail to see what the "services" are (e.g.); there used to be posted pictures, one poster says...)
thanks to slinkybender!: "They have, in fact, explicitly created "secret" discussion forums for johns on their website -- unadvertised locations set aside from among the 10,000 possible forums available on their servers -- and those forums have been highly active for years."
Delia
P.S. if you have time, listen to the short Jim Buckmaster video (just to see how much wholesomeness he is trying to project) and read the Guardian article where he says they make sure all ads are ok and the comments (two from craigslist users are excellent):
"You've agreed to do more screening of ads. Is that going to change the way you run?
JB: In this one category, we are manually screening each ad to ensure that it's fully compliant before it reaches the site. We're not counting the cost there and we're staffing that function as appropriate and as needed to ensure that every ad is fully screened."
No wonder they are pissed with Amber Lyons...and are trying to get someoneELSE to talk to...
Monday, August 23, 2010
craigslist's role in child trafficking
MORE: best (easiest) legal challenge I see at the moment: by claiming to manually screen all ads, craigslist has become "co-author" of these ads and should be held legally responsible for all problem-ads that appear on the site (since it ok-es them before publication) D.
sorry, got delayed...
Much better media coverage than I've ever seen on this topic! and a lot more people with the ability to really do something (e.g. Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley) finally speaking up...
Unfortunately, some people continue to be blinded by craigslist's arguments that they are not ultimately causing the crime so they are thus not responsible.
As with all crimes, willingness to commit the crime is not enough for the crime to actually happen -- the opportunity must also be there. And the greater the opportunity, the more potential crime becomes actual crime. While craigslist is not causing the willingness to exploit children, the existence of it's "adult services" does appear to dramatically increase the opportunity of committing the crime by providing a very effective advertising platform (much more effective than any other known alternative). Getting rid of the "adult section" would not mean there would be no more child trafficking but it may well mean that there would be a whole lot less of it...
If "adult services" MUST exist (and it is a very difficult argument to make that providing an advertising section for the extremely limited situation when "adult ads" may truly be harmless and legal should win out given the reality of increased child trafficking), it could only be justified if screening would be without reproach. This appears to be hardly the case... It's hard to see how lawyers trained to manually screen each ad (3rd paragraph) could accept as many blatant ads observers have found on the site every time they looked... Just how many lawyers were employed? Hardly enough given the job at hand, it appears... Just how much has craigslist spent from the tens of millions it's been collecting in fees from "adult services" ads on combating the problem? an insignificant amount, it appears...
Delia
P.S. worst problem I see at the moment: some well meaning people with the ability to effect change are not keeping child trafficking separate from prostitution in general (I do believe both are a real problem but child trafficking is by far the worst of the two and should be given priority)D.
sorry, got delayed...
Much better media coverage than I've ever seen on this topic! and a lot more people with the ability to really do something (e.g. Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley) finally speaking up...
Unfortunately, some people continue to be blinded by craigslist's arguments that they are not ultimately causing the crime so they are thus not responsible.
As with all crimes, willingness to commit the crime is not enough for the crime to actually happen -- the opportunity must also be there. And the greater the opportunity, the more potential crime becomes actual crime. While craigslist is not causing the willingness to exploit children, the existence of it's "adult services" does appear to dramatically increase the opportunity of committing the crime by providing a very effective advertising platform (much more effective than any other known alternative). Getting rid of the "adult section" would not mean there would be no more child trafficking but it may well mean that there would be a whole lot less of it...
If "adult services" MUST exist (and it is a very difficult argument to make that providing an advertising section for the extremely limited situation when "adult ads" may truly be harmless and legal should win out given the reality of increased child trafficking), it could only be justified if screening would be without reproach. This appears to be hardly the case... It's hard to see how lawyers trained to manually screen each ad (3rd paragraph) could accept as many blatant ads observers have found on the site every time they looked... Just how many lawyers were employed? Hardly enough given the job at hand, it appears... Just how much has craigslist spent from the tens of millions it's been collecting in fees from "adult services" ads on combating the problem? an insignificant amount, it appears...
Delia
P.S. worst problem I see at the moment: some well meaning people with the ability to effect change are not keeping child trafficking separate from prostitution in general (I do believe both are a real problem but child trafficking is by far the worst of the two and should be given priority)D.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
(child sex trafficking) will be posting a critique of Jim Buckmaster's response, shortly...
UPDATE
... might take a week or so... Delia
P.S. key issue: they just don't seem to be monitoring! (which they claim they do...so Amber Lyon was right on the money!) D.
... might take a week or so... Delia
P.S. key issue: they just don't seem to be monitoring! (which they claim they do...so Amber Lyon was right on the money!) D.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
child trafficking: I'm happy to see main stream outfits like CNN are finally doing a good job covering this!
MORE
Sold on Craigslist: Critics say sex ad crackdown inadequate -- links within this article (to Malika Saada Saar's article and Jim Buckmaster's article) give a balanced view
Delia
P.S. glad to see there seems to be less and less need for this blog (the questions are being asked, the issues are being raised by others...) D.
Sold on Craigslist: Critics say sex ad crackdown inadequate -- links within this article (to Malika Saada Saar's article and Jim Buckmaster's article) give a balanced view
Delia
P.S. glad to see there seems to be less and less need for this blog (the questions are being asked, the issues are being raised by others...) D.
Friday, July 9, 2010
[craigslist criticism] New comment on (trafficking in women) real life protests against ....
MORE: Thanks, Katherine! yeah... there is a lot more to say about this than I allowed myself time for... ok! I'll have to elaborate now:) As a first event of its kind (as far as I'm aware of) the fact that it made an impact is significant. These are not easy things to implement, *in general*, (especially on a very limited budget, as it appears to have been) and they had some serious added-on difficulties.
You picked-on the most significant one I believe, the fact that not all relevant orgs joined the protest -- that not everybody believes craigslist should necessarily do away with its "erotic/adult" sections. As I've said on this blog, I personally believe they should definitely give it a try! And as long as they don't, I have a hard time believing they could possibly care...
Having said that, it would have been much more valuable as public discourse if these orgs would have come to the event *anyways* and explained the reasons for their dissension but my feeling is that they didn't want in any way to undermine organizations with which they share so many core principles.
They probably also felt that it was a mistake to lump together the issue of human trafficking in minors with the issue of *prostitution in general*, not because they believe prostitution can be a good thing... but because doing so diffuses the focus from the primary concern.
I personally believe prostitution is a bad choice, regardless of the circumstance because it is fraught with inherent risks extremely difficult to control and also negatively impacts other people than the two making "the deal" (even in the cases when it is "consensual," and I seriously doubt it is *ever* truly mutually consensual when it ultimately comes down to it... and not only on the side of the women, plenty of men appear to have something at least resembling an addiction, shelling out money that they can ill afford...so it can actually be predatory on the "career" prostitute's side)
But yeah... it would have helped to keep these things separate and I trust that the orgs will learn from this experience and have a bigger event and a bigger impact next time. Still, as far as I'm concerned, it was not bad for a start!
Delia
P.S. sorry to hear about the bad personal experiences you had, hopefully everything will be better next time! D.
.........
katherine. has left a new comment on your post "(trafficking in women) real life protests against ...":
it was an interesting event...but disappointing.
my take on the Craigslist Protest
You picked-on the most significant one I believe, the fact that not all relevant orgs joined the protest -- that not everybody believes craigslist should necessarily do away with its "erotic/adult" sections. As I've said on this blog, I personally believe they should definitely give it a try! And as long as they don't, I have a hard time believing they could possibly care...
Having said that, it would have been much more valuable as public discourse if these orgs would have come to the event *anyways* and explained the reasons for their dissension but my feeling is that they didn't want in any way to undermine organizations with which they share so many core principles.
They probably also felt that it was a mistake to lump together the issue of human trafficking in minors with the issue of *prostitution in general*, not because they believe prostitution can be a good thing... but because doing so diffuses the focus from the primary concern.
I personally believe prostitution is a bad choice, regardless of the circumstance because it is fraught with inherent risks extremely difficult to control and also negatively impacts other people than the two making "the deal" (even in the cases when it is "consensual," and I seriously doubt it is *ever* truly mutually consensual when it ultimately comes down to it... and not only on the side of the women, plenty of men appear to have something at least resembling an addiction, shelling out money that they can ill afford...so it can actually be predatory on the "career" prostitute's side)
But yeah... it would have helped to keep these things separate and I trust that the orgs will learn from this experience and have a bigger event and a bigger impact next time. Still, as far as I'm concerned, it was not bad for a start!
Delia
P.S. sorry to hear about the bad personal experiences you had, hopefully everything will be better next time! D.
.........
katherine. has left a new comment on your post "(trafficking in women) real life protests against ...":
it was an interesting event...but disappointing.
my take on the Craigslist Protest
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
(trafficking in women) real life protests against craigslist start
comment
MORE: protest against craigslist certainly made an impact! Craig&Co painted over the "craigslist" sign...was that in shame? (http://bit.ly/9NWLoE) about 15 hours ago via web
STILL MORE: misguided anti-protest against craigslist; twitter: sorry but the safe thing to do is get *out* of this business! you should be able to get help but NOT to keep doing it...http://bit.ly/9V1BAk 3 minutes ago via web
EVEN MORE: twitter: (trafficking in women) finally! major news outlet coverage: CBS5/ BCN(http://bit.ly/ahVtQF) Protesters Slam Craigslist's 'Adult Services'~D. 7 minutes ago
bs5.com/technology/craigslist.protesters.adult.2.1794522.html
UPDATE:(trafficking in women) real life protest against craigslist garners even more support -- Congresswoman Jackie Speier among them
twitter: (trafficking in women) real life protest against craigslist garners even more support;e.g.Congresswoman Jackie Speier (http://bit.ly/ahVtQF) less than 20 seconds ago via web
----- Original message -----
Sent: 2010/07/01 21:32:42
Subject: Re: Leading Human Rights Groups To Protest Craigslist HQ's on 7/08/10: For Immediate Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2010
Contacts:
NORMA RAMOS, Esq., (212) 643-9895 and MELISSA FARLEY, Ph.D., (415) 922-4555
On July 8, 2010 at noon the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW), Prostitution Research and Education (PRE) and our over 75 Co-Sponsors will protest Craigslist's facilitation of sex trafficking at Craigslist’s office, 1381 9th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122.
A large portion of Craigslist’s profits come from the sale of commercial sexual exploitation, much of it trafficked, all of it prostituted. Craigslist normalizes and facilitates online pimping - providing an outlet and incentive, for sex traffickers to reach buyers of human beings. “By providing traffickers and johns with a virtual red light district, Craigslist is aiding, abetting and enormously profiting from sex trafficking,” says Norma Ramos, Executive Director of CATW.
Our protest is co-sponsored by 75 leading human rights and anti-trafficking organizations and prominent individuals including Equality Now, End Child Prostitution and Trafficking (ECPAT-USA), Center for World Indigenous Studies, Soroptimists International of the Americas, Nevada Coalition Against Sexual Violence, Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres, Asian Americans for Community Involvement, and Gloria Steinem, author Victor Malarek, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Congresswoman Jackie Speier.
Sex trafficking is fueled by the demand for prostitution along with impunity for its buyers. According to Melissa Farley, author of 20 research articles on trafficking for prostitution, “Today, a majority of men buy sex online from women or children many of whom are trafficked or controlled by third parties. Craigslist mainstreams prostitution as ‘Adult Services’. This protest exposes these ads for what they really are: the sale of sexual exploitation, paid rape, child abuse, and trafficking.”
Craigslist has defied and defeated the efforts of Attorneys General, a high profile lawsuit and members of Congress who have tried to put an end to their facilitation of sex trafficking. Despite evidence of criminal activity associated with its website, Craigslist remains above the law. “We are sending a message to Craigslist from the human rights community that by hosting these ads they are partially responsible for much of the rank exploitation that is human trafficking,” says Ms. Ramos.
We are calling upon Craigslist to close the euphemistically named “Adult Services” section of their website, set a sex industry-free standard which would help to eliminate human trafficking on the internet.
Speakers include: Joy Friedman, Breaking Free; Glenda Hope, Executive Director, SafeHouse San Francisco for Homeless Women Escaping Prostitution; Victor Malarek, Author/Activist; Aaron Cohen, Author/Activist; Terria Joseph, Actor.
For a complete list of the 75 Co-Sponsors who have joined CATW and PRE visit our websites at www.catwinternational.org and www.prostitutionresearch.com
EVEN MORE: twitter: (trafficking in women) real life protests against craigslist start (http://bit.ly/ahVtQF) Gloria Steinem, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney ~D. 1 minute ago via web
MORE: there have already been some online (on social sites, such as twitter) but this is the first one in person that I'm aware of... hopefully it will make some serious impact and, unless craigslist truly changes, it will not be the last! ~Delia
----- Original message -----
Sent: 2010/06/29 21:52:48
Subject: Re: Craigslist Protest - Join Us
Dear D,
Below and attached you will find an announcement regarding a protest the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) is organizing in partnership with Prostitution Research and Education (PRE) in front of Craigslist’s headquarters in San Francisco. Crrently, the protest is co-sponsored by 66 leading anti-trafficking organizations and prominent individuals including Gloria Steinem, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and author Victor Malarek.
I thought you may find it interesting given your blog, Craigslist Criticism. Feel free to post our announcement on your blog as well. Best, Elaine
Elaine L. Afanador
Executive Assistant
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women
P (212) 643-9895
F (212) 643-9896
www.catwinternational.org
Join Us On Thursday, July 8,2010
To Protest Craigslist at their San Francisco Headquarters
The Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) in partnership with Prostitution Research and Education (PRE) and other co-sponsors will be holding a protest in front of Craigslist Headquarters in San Francisco on July 8th to bring attention to Craigslist’s facilitation of and profiting from sex trafficking. “Craigslist continues to cynically profit by functioning as an online pimp,” says Norma Ramos, Executive Director of CATW. “Craigslist is the new stroll where pimps traffic, johns buy and Craigslist profits,” says Melissa Farley, Executive Director, PRE.
Craigslist is projected to realize a 22% increase in revenue - an estimated $36 million in 2010 - largely attributable to its functioning as a virtual red light district for pimps/traffickers and johns. Craigslist displays a reckless disregard for human rights by increasingly becoming a part of the sex industry. Craigslist could act to create a sex trafficking free internet by no longer hosting prostitution ads and thereby setting an industry standard.
We invite you to join CATW, PRE and our co-sponsors who include: Gloria Steinem, Breaking Free,Equality Now, A Call to Men, End Child Prostitution and Trafficking (ECPAT-USA), and many others at our protest to hold Craigslist accountable for facilitating and profiting from the rank exploitation of others.
Speakers Include:
Joy Friedman, Women’s Program Manager, Breaking Free
* Glenda Hope, Executive Director, SafeHouse San Francisco for Homeless Women Escaping Prostitution
* Victor Malarek, Author/Activist, The Natashas and The Johns
* Aaron Cohen, Author/Activist, Slave Hunter
* Terria Joseph, Actor
*
When: Thursday, July 8, 2010
Where: Craigslist Headquarters
1381 9th Avenue (Between Judah and Irving Streets)
San Francisco, CA 94122
Time: 12:00 – 2:00 PM
Co-Sponsors Include: Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Center for World Indigenous Studies (Mexico/USA), Men Stopping Violence, Dayton Human Trafficking Accords, UNANIMA International, Aboriginal Women’s Action Network (Canada), The Temple Committee Against Human Trafficking (Canada), The Barnaba Institute, Global Centurion, National Organization For Women - NYC (NOW-NYC), Kathleen Barry, Robin Morgan, Embrace Dignity Campaign (South Africa), The Rebecca Project for Human Rights, Stop Porn Culture, Media Watch, Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery, Girl Fest Hawaii, Public Good Project, Children’s Civil Rights Union, California Survivors of Craigslist Trafficking, Chab Dai USA, Veronica’s Voice, Women’s Justice Center, LOOKBOTHWAYS, California Against Slavery, A Girl Like Me Campaign, Nomi Network, Women’s Global Resource and Development Initiative, Minorities and Survivors Improving Empowerment (MASIE), Live2Free, Lydia Today Foundation, Love146, Nevada Coalition Against Sexual Violence, Nevada Coalition Against Sex Trafficking, National Dominican Women's Caucus, Because Justice Matters, New York League of Puerto Rican Women, Inc. (NYLPRW), Soroptimist International of the Americas, Women's Support Project (Scotland), Revolt: Fight To End The Commercial Sex Trade, Exploited Voices now Educating (EVE), My Sisters's Place, Inc (Canada), What If It Were Your Daughter/Silver Braid, Sex Industry Survivors, REED (Resist Exploitation, Embrace Dignity) (Canada), Apne Aap (India), Asian Women Coalition Ending Prostitution, Bamboo Bridges, Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter (Canada), Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres, Council for Prostitution Alternatives, Abolish Slavery, Mrs. Gingerbread Inc., Technorazzi.com, Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI), Feministiskt Initiativ (Sweden), Raise The Bar Productions, EAVES (UK), TFK Ventures, LLC., Setting the Captives Free Ministries (Canada)…
* Please help get the word out by e-mailing this notice to your contact list.
MORE: protest against craigslist certainly made an impact! Craig&Co painted over the "craigslist" sign...was that in shame? (http://bit.ly/9NWLoE) about 15 hours ago via web
STILL MORE: misguided anti-protest against craigslist; twitter: sorry but the safe thing to do is get *out* of this business! you should be able to get help but NOT to keep doing it...http://bit.ly/9V1BAk 3 minutes ago via web
EVEN MORE: twitter: (trafficking in women) finally! major news outlet coverage: CBS5/ BCN(http://bit.ly/ahVtQF) Protesters Slam Craigslist's 'Adult Services'~D. 7 minutes ago
bs5.com/technology/craigslist.protesters.adult.2.1794522.html
UPDATE:(trafficking in women) real life protest against craigslist garners even more support -- Congresswoman Jackie Speier among them
twitter: (trafficking in women) real life protest against craigslist garners even more support;e.g.Congresswoman Jackie Speier (http://bit.ly/ahVtQF) less than 20 seconds ago via web
----- Original message -----
Sent: 2010/07/01 21:32:42
Subject: Re: Leading Human Rights Groups To Protest Craigslist HQ's on 7/08/10: For Immediate Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2010
Contacts:
NORMA RAMOS, Esq., (212) 643-9895 and MELISSA FARLEY, Ph.D., (415) 922-4555
On July 8, 2010 at noon the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW), Prostitution Research and Education (PRE) and our over 75 Co-Sponsors will protest Craigslist's facilitation of sex trafficking at Craigslist’s office, 1381 9th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122.
A large portion of Craigslist’s profits come from the sale of commercial sexual exploitation, much of it trafficked, all of it prostituted. Craigslist normalizes and facilitates online pimping - providing an outlet and incentive, for sex traffickers to reach buyers of human beings. “By providing traffickers and johns with a virtual red light district, Craigslist is aiding, abetting and enormously profiting from sex trafficking,” says Norma Ramos, Executive Director of CATW.
Our protest is co-sponsored by 75 leading human rights and anti-trafficking organizations and prominent individuals including Equality Now, End Child Prostitution and Trafficking (ECPAT-USA), Center for World Indigenous Studies, Soroptimists International of the Americas, Nevada Coalition Against Sexual Violence, Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres, Asian Americans for Community Involvement, and Gloria Steinem, author Victor Malarek, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Congresswoman Jackie Speier.
Sex trafficking is fueled by the demand for prostitution along with impunity for its buyers. According to Melissa Farley, author of 20 research articles on trafficking for prostitution, “Today, a majority of men buy sex online from women or children many of whom are trafficked or controlled by third parties. Craigslist mainstreams prostitution as ‘Adult Services’. This protest exposes these ads for what they really are: the sale of sexual exploitation, paid rape, child abuse, and trafficking.”
Craigslist has defied and defeated the efforts of Attorneys General, a high profile lawsuit and members of Congress who have tried to put an end to their facilitation of sex trafficking. Despite evidence of criminal activity associated with its website, Craigslist remains above the law. “We are sending a message to Craigslist from the human rights community that by hosting these ads they are partially responsible for much of the rank exploitation that is human trafficking,” says Ms. Ramos.
We are calling upon Craigslist to close the euphemistically named “Adult Services” section of their website, set a sex industry-free standard which would help to eliminate human trafficking on the internet.
Speakers include: Joy Friedman, Breaking Free; Glenda Hope, Executive Director, SafeHouse San Francisco for Homeless Women Escaping Prostitution; Victor Malarek, Author/Activist; Aaron Cohen, Author/Activist; Terria Joseph, Actor.
For a complete list of the 75 Co-Sponsors who have joined CATW and PRE visit our websites at www.catwinternational.org and www.prostitutionresearch.com
EVEN MORE: twitter: (trafficking in women) real life protests against craigslist start (http://bit.ly/ahVtQF) Gloria Steinem, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney ~D. 1 minute ago via web
MORE: there have already been some online (on social sites, such as twitter) but this is the first one in person that I'm aware of... hopefully it will make some serious impact and, unless craigslist truly changes, it will not be the last! ~Delia
----- Original message -----
Sent: 2010/06/29 21:52:48
Subject: Re: Craigslist Protest - Join Us
Dear D,
Below and attached you will find an announcement regarding a protest the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) is organizing in partnership with Prostitution Research and Education (PRE) in front of Craigslist’s headquarters in San Francisco. Crrently, the protest is co-sponsored by 66 leading anti-trafficking organizations and prominent individuals including Gloria Steinem, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and author Victor Malarek.
I thought you may find it interesting given your blog, Craigslist Criticism. Feel free to post our announcement on your blog as well. Best, Elaine
Elaine L. Afanador
Executive Assistant
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women
P (212) 643-9895
F (212) 643-9896
www.catwinternational.org
Join Us On Thursday, July 8,2010
To Protest Craigslist at their San Francisco Headquarters
The Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) in partnership with Prostitution Research and Education (PRE) and other co-sponsors will be holding a protest in front of Craigslist Headquarters in San Francisco on July 8th to bring attention to Craigslist’s facilitation of and profiting from sex trafficking. “Craigslist continues to cynically profit by functioning as an online pimp,” says Norma Ramos, Executive Director of CATW. “Craigslist is the new stroll where pimps traffic, johns buy and Craigslist profits,” says Melissa Farley, Executive Director, PRE.
Craigslist is projected to realize a 22% increase in revenue - an estimated $36 million in 2010 - largely attributable to its functioning as a virtual red light district for pimps/traffickers and johns. Craigslist displays a reckless disregard for human rights by increasingly becoming a part of the sex industry. Craigslist could act to create a sex trafficking free internet by no longer hosting prostitution ads and thereby setting an industry standard.
We invite you to join CATW, PRE and our co-sponsors who include: Gloria Steinem, Breaking Free,Equality Now, A Call to Men, End Child Prostitution and Trafficking (ECPAT-USA), and many others at our protest to hold Craigslist accountable for facilitating and profiting from the rank exploitation of others.
Speakers Include:
Joy Friedman, Women’s Program Manager, Breaking Free
* Glenda Hope, Executive Director, SafeHouse San Francisco for Homeless Women Escaping Prostitution
* Victor Malarek, Author/Activist, The Natashas and The Johns
* Aaron Cohen, Author/Activist, Slave Hunter
* Terria Joseph, Actor
*
When: Thursday, July 8, 2010
Where: Craigslist Headquarters
1381 9th Avenue (Between Judah and Irving Streets)
San Francisco, CA 94122
Time: 12:00 – 2:00 PM
Co-Sponsors Include: Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Center for World Indigenous Studies (Mexico/USA), Men Stopping Violence, Dayton Human Trafficking Accords, UNANIMA International, Aboriginal Women’s Action Network (Canada), The Temple Committee Against Human Trafficking (Canada), The Barnaba Institute, Global Centurion, National Organization For Women - NYC (NOW-NYC), Kathleen Barry, Robin Morgan, Embrace Dignity Campaign (South Africa), The Rebecca Project for Human Rights, Stop Porn Culture, Media Watch, Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery, Girl Fest Hawaii, Public Good Project, Children’s Civil Rights Union, California Survivors of Craigslist Trafficking, Chab Dai USA, Veronica’s Voice, Women’s Justice Center, LOOKBOTHWAYS, California Against Slavery, A Girl Like Me Campaign, Nomi Network, Women’s Global Resource and Development Initiative, Minorities and Survivors Improving Empowerment (MASIE), Live2Free, Lydia Today Foundation, Love146, Nevada Coalition Against Sexual Violence, Nevada Coalition Against Sex Trafficking, National Dominican Women's Caucus, Because Justice Matters, New York League of Puerto Rican Women, Inc. (NYLPRW), Soroptimist International of the Americas, Women's Support Project (Scotland), Revolt: Fight To End The Commercial Sex Trade, Exploited Voices now Educating (EVE), My Sisters's Place, Inc (Canada), What If It Were Your Daughter/Silver Braid, Sex Industry Survivors, REED (Resist Exploitation, Embrace Dignity) (Canada), Apne Aap (India), Asian Women Coalition Ending Prostitution, Bamboo Bridges, Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter (Canada), Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres, Council for Prostitution Alternatives, Abolish Slavery, Mrs. Gingerbread Inc., Technorazzi.com, Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI), Feministiskt Initiativ (Sweden), Raise The Bar Productions, EAVES (UK), TFK Ventures, LLC., Setting the Captives Free Ministries (Canada)…
* Please help get the word out by e-mailing this notice to your contact list.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
(comic & sad) Jim Buckmaster wants to shut up researchers
twitter: underage -Schaphiro group publishes results of study that *dare* put craigslist in a bad lighthttp://bit.ly/bOdp9I Jim Buckmaster is pissed! 7 minutes ago via web
... if they find out anything that puts craigslist in a bad light? can he truly be that dense...? apparently, so -- he wants them to *cease and desist!* using craigslist's name when presenting the results of the under age prostitution research they did on a number of sites including craigslist
thankfully, the Schaphiro group didn't give in to craigslist's bullying and published results of the study that *dare* put craigslist in a bad light: "Craigslist is by far the most efficient medium for Johns"
... if they find out anything that puts craigslist in a bad light? can he truly be that dense...? apparently, so -- he wants them to *cease and desist!* using craigslist's name when presenting the results of the under age prostitution research they did on a number of sites including craigslist
thankfully, the Schaphiro group didn't give in to craigslist's bullying and published results of the study that *dare* put craigslist in a bad light: "Craigslist is by far the most efficient medium for Johns"
Friday, June 4, 2010
meaninglessly high search numbers for craigslist
EVEN MORE: twitter
@jzawodn jeremy, was there something you wanted to say or... should I take it as no comment? ~Delia re: (http://bit.ly/90Sfz8) about 11 hours ago via web
@jzawodn re: http://bit.ly/dlxigZ Jeremy, you asked me to expand on what I had originally wrote in that entry and that's what I did (MORE).. 15 minutes ago via web
@jzawodn re: http://bit.ly/dlxigZ the main paragraph did nothing but fully explain what I had already written (MORE)... 14 minutes ago via web
@jzawodn re: http://bit.ly/dlxigZ Jim' s entry on the craigslistblog was what prompted the whole issue so I felt I had to address it... MORE 14 minutes ago via web
@jzawodn re: http://bit.ly/dlxigZ I did not necessarily expect you to address what Jim said, although it is definitely related; no big deal! 15 minutes ago via web
twitter: (craigslist search) discussion with craigslist's Jeremy Zawodny --craigslist criticism blog (http://bit.ly/90Sfz8) feel free to join! ~Delia half a minute ago via web
MORE: email exchanges published with the permission of craigslist' Jeremy Zawodny
As far as I can see, a comparison of search providers based on the number of search inquiries only makes sense if search efficiency is comparable. I don't believe that is the case: craigslist search is much more inefficient than google search, for instance, even when just searching craigslist -- because there are much fewer parameters available for the craigslist search when compared with google advanced search (you can't search in more than one location, for instance, even if you'd be willing to drive well outside of your own city and plenty of people do), one needs to perform a lot more search inquiries to get the same information that could be obtained through just one search using google. And plenty of information that google easily gives through a single inquiry could never be obtained by using craigslist search.
My suspicion has been that craigslist keeps its search (and the rest of the site) antiquated, barely changing things, at least in part because it makes the numbers look better, it looks like there is a lot more activity on the site and in fact there is, it's just that it is meaningless activity... frustrated people spending way more time on getting things done than they would really need to be spending.
Delia
P.S. also, I have no idea where Jim Buckmaster got his numbers and have no way of checking as long as he gives no references, the march 2010 report he refers to looks very different than his numbers... I find it strange that he gives no link to the source:
http://www.comscore.com/Press_Events/Press_Releases/2010/4/comScore_Releases_March_2010_U.S._Search_Engine_Rankings/(language)/eng-USD
I also find it deceiving that he claims Comscore has ranked craigslist number 5 when, apparently, it has done nothing of the kind -- the designation is really Jim's... re: "Here are the top 5 search providers, as ranked by Comscore for March 2010" D.
----- Original message -----
Sent: 2010/06/05 21:27:24
Subject: Re: Re: [craigslist criticism] New comment on meaninglessly high search numbers for craigslist.
Sure.
Jeremy
On Sat, Jun 05, 2010 at 04:27:13PM -0400, dperiod wrote:
re: Can you expand on that a bit? Or email me: jzawodn@craigslist.org
Thanks,
Jeremy
sure... is it ok to post our email exchanges in the body of my blog entry you commented on? ~Delia
(http://blog.craigslist.org/2010/05/mere-happenstance/#comment-163874) twitter
Jeremy: my impression is that there is a whole lot of useless searching on craigslist (which meaninglessly bumps up the numbers) because the search function continues to be archaic and inefficient (apparently on purpose)
Delia
@jzawodn jeremy, was there something you wanted to say or... should I take it as no comment? ~Delia re: (http://bit.ly/90Sfz8) about 11 hours ago via web
@jzawodn re: http://bit.ly/dlxigZ Jeremy, you asked me to expand on what I had originally wrote in that entry and that's what I did (MORE).. 15 minutes ago via web
@jzawodn re: http://bit.ly/dlxigZ the main paragraph did nothing but fully explain what I had already written (MORE)... 14 minutes ago via web
@jzawodn re: http://bit.ly/dlxigZ Jim' s entry on the craigslistblog was what prompted the whole issue so I felt I had to address it... MORE 14 minutes ago via web
@jzawodn re: http://bit.ly/dlxigZ I did not necessarily expect you to address what Jim said, although it is definitely related; no big deal! 15 minutes ago via web
twitter: (craigslist search) discussion with craigslist's Jeremy Zawodny --craigslist criticism blog (http://bit.ly/90Sfz8) feel free to join! ~Delia half a minute ago via web
MORE: email exchanges published with the permission of craigslist' Jeremy Zawodny
As far as I can see, a comparison of search providers based on the number of search inquiries only makes sense if search efficiency is comparable. I don't believe that is the case: craigslist search is much more inefficient than google search, for instance, even when just searching craigslist -- because there are much fewer parameters available for the craigslist search when compared with google advanced search (you can't search in more than one location, for instance, even if you'd be willing to drive well outside of your own city and plenty of people do), one needs to perform a lot more search inquiries to get the same information that could be obtained through just one search using google. And plenty of information that google easily gives through a single inquiry could never be obtained by using craigslist search.
My suspicion has been that craigslist keeps its search (and the rest of the site) antiquated, barely changing things, at least in part because it makes the numbers look better, it looks like there is a lot more activity on the site and in fact there is, it's just that it is meaningless activity... frustrated people spending way more time on getting things done than they would really need to be spending.
Delia
P.S. also, I have no idea where Jim Buckmaster got his numbers and have no way of checking as long as he gives no references, the march 2010 report he refers to looks very different than his numbers... I find it strange that he gives no link to the source:
http://www.comscore.com/Press_Events/Press_Releases/2010/4/comScore_Releases_March_2010_U.S._Search_Engine_Rankings/(language)/eng-USD
I also find it deceiving that he claims Comscore has ranked craigslist number 5 when, apparently, it has done nothing of the kind -- the designation is really Jim's... re: "Here are the top 5 search providers, as ranked by Comscore for March 2010" D.
----- Original message -----
Sent: 2010/06/05 21:27:24
Subject: Re: Re: [craigslist criticism] New comment on meaninglessly high search numbers for craigslist.
Sure.
Jeremy
On Sat, Jun 05, 2010 at 04:27:13PM -0400, dperiod wrote:
re: Can you expand on that a bit? Or email me: jzawodn@craigslist.org
Thanks,
Jeremy
sure... is it ok to post our email exchanges in the body of my blog entry you commented on? ~Delia
(http://blog.craigslist.org/2010/05/mere-happenstance/#comment-163874) twitter
Jeremy: my impression is that there is a whole lot of useless searching on craigslist (which meaninglessly bumps up the numbers) because the search function continues to be archaic and inefficient (apparently on purpose)
Delia
Thursday, May 20, 2010
is craigslist's adult section much more effective then backpage etc.?
MORE: twitter: Trouteaud: "Craigslist [adult] ads received three times the response of similar ads posted with a competitor, Backpage" http://bit.ly/dr7Aqm 4 minutes ago via web
re: prior; Trouteaud: 47 percent still wanted to proceed even after learning the girls were minors -Schapiro Group study of craigslist adult 3 minutes ago via web (5th paragraph from bottom)
that has been my belief for a long time and looks like they are coming up with evidence: Alex Trouteaud "Craigslist ads received three times the response of similar ads posted with a competitor, Backpage"(4th paragraph from bottom)
re: prior; Trouteaud: 47 percent still wanted to proceed even after learning the girls were minors -Schapiro Group study of craigslist adult 3 minutes ago via web (5th paragraph from bottom)
that has been my belief for a long time and looks like they are coming up with evidence: Alex Trouteaud "Craigslist ads received three times the response of similar ads posted with a competitor, Backpage"(4th paragraph from bottom)
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
is Jim Buckmaster for real? giving another try...
MORE: and again, Jim Buckmaster did not post my comment (although he already posted a pretty much random one -- much less relevant -- and submitted after mine) -- I can pretty much ignore his stuff from now on (seems to be B.S.) D.
Jim,
(http://blog.craigslist.org/2010/05/an-open-invitation-to-rachel-lloyd/#comment-159056)
You just *can't* keep any of that money and expect people to believe that you are honest or that you care about the very serious problems you talk about here -- you must realize this. I don't know whose idea it really was, but the AGs agreed with the charging of the fee and you publicly vowed not to profit from it. As long as you keep your word, the impasse should be solvable. I would just hand over all those profits to the AGs and tell them to do as they will with it! because you have trouble giving it away as was planned and do not want to keep any of it.
I would also ask them to get together with the orgs they deem pertinent and come up with ways to solve the problem and offer honest cooperation. If they say, you should shut down the adult section and you believe it would really make no real difference -- give it a try! Shut down the erotic section in one location where it has high activity at the moment and see what happens -- are those ads truly migrating to personals in mass as you appear to believe would be the case or only a small part of them do? Given that some may suspect conflict of interest, make sure you allow a neutral party to do the determination of what is really going on and make that public regardless of their findings.
As long as there is a genuine desire to solve this problem, I see no reason why things could not drastically improve.
Delia
Jim,
(http://blog.craigslist.org/2010/05/an-open-invitation-to-rachel-lloyd/#comment-159056)
You just *can't* keep any of that money and expect people to believe that you are honest or that you care about the very serious problems you talk about here -- you must realize this. I don't know whose idea it really was, but the AGs agreed with the charging of the fee and you publicly vowed not to profit from it. As long as you keep your word, the impasse should be solvable. I would just hand over all those profits to the AGs and tell them to do as they will with it! because you have trouble giving it away as was planned and do not want to keep any of it.
I would also ask them to get together with the orgs they deem pertinent and come up with ways to solve the problem and offer honest cooperation. If they say, you should shut down the adult section and you believe it would really make no real difference -- give it a try! Shut down the erotic section in one location where it has high activity at the moment and see what happens -- are those ads truly migrating to personals in mass as you appear to believe would be the case or only a small part of them do? Given that some may suspect conflict of interest, make sure you allow a neutral party to do the determination of what is really going on and make that public regardless of their findings.
As long as there is a genuine desire to solve this problem, I see no reason why things could not drastically improve.
Delia
is Craig Newmark honestly asking for suggestions?
Twitter: Craig Newmark: http://bit.ly/cxlgsl what should craigslist do?do NOTprofit from erotic/adult/prostitution as promised hand over all$ to AGs 9 minutes ago via web
..and let them do as they will with it! let them get together with the relevant orgs and figure out what should be done and go along with it 8 minutes ago via web
..and let them do as they will with it! let them get together with the relevant orgs and figure out what should be done and go along with it 8 minutes ago via web
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Jim Buckmaster blasts poor Brad Stone of NYT
MORE: KATHARINE MIESZKOWSKI Nonprofit to Craigslist: Keep Your Money (http://nyti.ms/bbfOsk) yep! that's what I thought... (http://bit.ly/d4NOuk) 10:12 PM May 2nd via web
Twitter:
NYT's Brad Stone dares look at it from both sides *for once*&Jim Buckmaster blasts him for it -prior suck-ups forgotten http://bit.ly/aUuu04 17 minutes ago via web
ok, Jim! so the prostitution $ doesn't go in the Craigslist Charitable Fund or *does* it? -grantees would need to know http://bit.ly/9gBYMV 12 minutes ago via web
..does Jim Buckmaster think people are going to believe that craigslist is making that kind of $ from barely legal massage ads and the like? 10 minutes ago via web
or that the fact that others are doing it also is a legitimate excuse? he would do well to remember the CL feedback speeding ticket analogy 3 minutes ago via web
Twitter:
NYT's Brad Stone dares look at it from both sides *for once*&Jim Buckmaster blasts him for it -prior suck-ups forgotten http://bit.ly/aUuu04 17 minutes ago via web
ok, Jim! so the prostitution $ doesn't go in the Craigslist Charitable Fund or *does* it? -grantees would need to know http://bit.ly/9gBYMV 12 minutes ago via web
..does Jim Buckmaster think people are going to believe that craigslist is making that kind of $ from barely legal massage ads and the like? 10 minutes ago via web
or that the fact that others are doing it also is a legitimate excuse? he would do well to remember the CL feedback speeding ticket analogy 3 minutes ago via web
Monday, April 26, 2010
yet again, is craigslist facilitating prostitution?
EVEN MORE
MORE: Twitter yet again, is craigslist facilitating prostitution? http://bit.ly/dmJaLO let me know what you think! ~Delia 7:09 PM Apr 26th via web
also are Craig Newmark & Jim Buckmaster profiting from prostitution although they vowed not to keep the money? certainly looks like it! ~D. 7:15 PM Apr 26th via web
again, NYT's Brad Stone comes up with a "friendly"-towards-craigslist title "Sex Ads Seen Adding Revenue to Craigslist" -- really, now? that's a fair characterization of the issue? *lol* still, with some exceptions(e.g. the number of places where craigslist is charging has been creeping up for a long time -- you *have to* say that so people can understand what's going on) he somehow manages to give a fairly balanced account. But the ending paragraph is just bizarre... looks like he just has to compliment Craig& Jim somehow and just doesn't care that it's awkward at best...
Delia
MORE: Twitter yet again, is craigslist facilitating prostitution? http://bit.ly/dmJaLO let me know what you think! ~Delia 7:09 PM Apr 26th via web
also are Craig Newmark & Jim Buckmaster profiting from prostitution although they vowed not to keep the money? certainly looks like it! ~D. 7:15 PM Apr 26th via web
again, NYT's Brad Stone comes up with a "friendly"-towards-craigslist title "Sex Ads Seen Adding Revenue to Craigslist" -- really, now? that's a fair characterization of the issue? *lol* still, with some exceptions(e.g. the number of places where craigslist is charging has been creeping up for a long time -- you *have to* say that so people can understand what's going on) he somehow manages to give a fairly balanced account. But the ending paragraph is just bizarre... looks like he just has to compliment Craig& Jim somehow and just doesn't care that it's awkward at best...
Delia
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