It has been a shocking month for Indiana and Kentucky residents. On May 4,
federal agents announced the dismantling of a multi-state human s*x trafficking ring operating out of Indianapolis. A week later, a different trafficking ring was discovered to be operating in towns in Kentucky and Tennessee. You can learn more about these "latino residential brothels," as they are being called, by clicking the news link below.
Since human trafficking is in the news more and more, we've decided to devote our entire FLASHPOINT to this difficult topic. Some of you may be wondering if ROCK is departing from its mandate to address the harmful impact of p*rnography and s*x businesses. On the contrary, we feel that by addressing human trafficking we are more completely fulfilling our call to build stronger communities and families.
For nine years, I have been researching and writing about p*rnography, s*x shops and trafficking. I consistently see people get enraged by the modern-day slavery of s*xual trafficking, but completely overlook the industries that create a demand for this abuse. The fact is that our society's acceptance (and sometimes embrace) of p*rnography has created a culture where men and women are seen as disposable s*xual objects that can be rented, purchased, and consumed on paper, film and online... and then ignored. Sadly, some also move beyond the two-dimensional image and seek real persons to rent, purchase, use and discard.
If we are to attack the scourge of human trafficking, we need to be mindful of the "feeder" industries that increase demand, wherever we find them--online, at the 'gentleman's club,' or in the so-called bookstore.
To increase awareness of this crucial issue, we have added a trafficking section on our website that features dozens of reports, articles and studies that powerfully connect trafficking to pr*stitution, stripping and p*rnography. Please take some time to review these resources and alert your friends and families to them as well. If you only have time for one article, please read "The Seamless Fabric" introduced below. I have not found another resource that so compellingly and convincingly connects all the dots.
As always, we welcome you to send thoughts and comments to info@myrocktoday.org. And thank you for partnering with us to build stronger communities and families.
Daniel Weiss
Director of Research and National Outreach
Last week, a federal grand jury handed down indictments of nine people who were sex trafficking Mexican women between Louisville neighborhoods and Tennessee cities. The scheme has been in operation for four years, and according to local news reports, the women were expected to have s*x with at least 30 men a day. 
Earlier this month, WAVE 3 went undercover to investigate whether local strip clubs were complying with Metro Louisville's s*xually oriented business ordinance. ROCK continues to monitor the enforcement process and knows that perseverance is key when it comes to passing and enforcing laws designed to protect families and communities from harmful effects of the s*x industry. A few citations have already been challenged, and we will keep you apprised of upcoming court dates. 
