Local police aren’t certain how to respond to revelations that Asian women in Chittenden County massage parlors were performing sex acts for money. But one thing appears to be off the table: prosecuting the women for prostitution.
Chittenden County State’s Attorney T.J. Donovan said Wednesday he will not charge any women who perform so-called “happy endings” because his working assumption is that they are human trafficking victims.
“I am incredibly reluctant to ever charge the women with prostitution,” said Donovan (pictured). “I view them as victims. People may disagree with me, but I just will not do it.”
Instead, Donovan said he would pursue a three-pronged response to the illegal activity: looking for zoning and licensing violations at the establishments; putting landlords on notice that they could be held criminally liable; and providing assistance to any victims.
Donovan’s comments followed a meeting with police officials and victim’s advocacy groups Wednesday to discuss a response to evidence of prostitution at three Burlington-area massage parlors, first reported by Seven Days last week.
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Nice to see TJ take action when all his cops had their heads stuck in the sand.
Thank you to everyone who attended Wednesday’s meeting. Your time, attention and engagement to this very serious issue is appreciated.
At least TJ is taking this matter seriously when the authorities have known about this for years and have done nothing about it. It’s sad that it took this article in 7 days to bring attention to this very serious matter!