Join us from 3-4 PM for an in-depth conversation with Caitlen. She heads a national youth movement to end human trafficking and sexual exploitation through education, advocacy and awareness

Lynn’s Warriors on WVOX Radio

Please learn more and join us on Thursday, March 10, 2022.

This case represents a 1st in-the-nation federal decision holding INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS CAN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE for knowing possession & distribution of CSAM, CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL (aka “child pornography”) on their sites

  WASHINGTON, DC (February 9, 2022) – The National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) said the judge’s ruling allowing the class action lawsuit Doe #1 et al v. MG Freesites LTD et al, to proceed is a significant victory for the courageous survivors of childhood sex trafficking and Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) whose videos and images of their sexual abuse were posted on Pornhub and other MindGeek-owned sites.

“This ruling brings the brave survivors—of child sex trafficking and CSAM—one step closer to justice. We are encouraged that MindGeek-owned Pornhub will finally be held to account for profiting from child sex abuse, rape, and sex trafficking material,” said Dawn Hawkins, CEO for the National Center on Sexual Exploitation.

“This is the second lawsuit against Pornhub that a judge has allowed to proceed, despite MindGeek’s claim that it has legal immunity under CDA Section 230. This ruling represents a complete rejection of such claims. The Court made clear what we have said all along: CDA 230 does not provide immunity for the knowing possession and distribution of CSAM. This ruling is one step forward in our quest to seek justice for survivors of Pornhub’s exploitation empire – a step made possible by our courageous plaintiffs,” Hawkins added.

Plaintiff Jane Doe #1 was just 16 years old when she was drugged and raped by a man in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The child sexual abuse and rape of Jane Doe #1 was filmed. That same man entered into an agreement with MindGeek to share profits from views and downloads of Jane Doe #1’s victimization on MindGeek’s websites. MindGeek reviewed, categorized, tagged, and disseminated the images and videos depicting the rape and sexual exploitation of sixteen-year-old Jane Doe #1.

At no time did MindGeek or Pornhub attempt to verify Jane Doe #1’s identity, age, inquire about her status as a victim of trafficking, or otherwise protect or warn against her traffickers before or while the video of her being drugged and raped was sold, downloaded, viewed and otherwise advertised on Pornhub.

When Plaintiff Jane Doe #2 was still a minor, a sex trafficker forced her to participate in the creation of sexually explicit videos. These videos of Jane Doe #2’s sexual abuse were uploaded and disseminated through websites owned, operated and/or controlled by MindGeek including, Pornhub. Neither Pornhub, nor any other website, owned or operated by MindGeek undertook any measure to verify Jane Doe #2’s identity or age. As a result, child sex abuse material depicting Jane Doe #2 was distributed broadly throughout the world on MindGeek’s internet platforms.

The plaintiffs are suing MindGeek for financially benefiting from their abuse, which violates the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, among other laws.

The legal team representing Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2 consists of:

• The Zarzaur Law Firm of Birmingham, Alabama;
• Prince Glover Hayes, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama;
• Levin Papantonio Rafferty, of Pensacola, Florida;
• Laffey, Bucci & Kent, LLP, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; 
• Conrad O’Brien PC, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and
• The National Center on Sexual Exploitation, of Washington D.C.

You are welcome to attend a congressional briefing on Tuesday, February 8 @ 4pm ET / 1pm PT, How the EARN IT Act Protects Children from Rampant Sexual Abuse on Technology Platforms. Please share with other organizations and your congressional delegations.

WHEN: Tuesday, February 8, 4:00-4:45 pm EST

TO ATTEND: Please register here.

BOSTON – U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Rachael S. Rollins have announced the Justice Department’s new National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking pursuant to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, which aims to enhance the Department’s capacity to prevent human trafficking; prosecute human trafficking cases; and support and protect human trafficking victims and survivors.

Read more here.  

Following Euphoria Actress’ Request for Fewer Nude Scenes, PTC Calls on Euphoria Creator to Eliminate All Nude Scenes of Teen Characters

LOS ANGELES (February 4, 2022) – The Parents Television and Media Council (PTC) called on HBO Euphoria Creator Sam Levinson to eliminate the sexually explicit, nude scenes of teenage characters, in keeping with a Euphoria actress’ request for fewer nude scenes for her character.

Euphoria Actress Sydney Sweeney, who plays high school teenager Cassie, reportedly asked Levinson to cut some nude scenes of her from the script, and he did.

Variety reported, “Sweeney said Levinson wrote in a lot more nude scenes for her character in Season 2 that she was able to remove without any challenge from the creator. ‘There are moments where Cassie was supposed to be shirtless and I would tell Sam, ‘I don’t really think that’s necessary here.’ He was like, ‘OK, we don’t need it.’”

“Given how many nude scenes feature teenager Cassie, it’s clear that it is Levinson’s intention is to exploit this teen character, regardless of the fact that the actress was able to successfully request fewer nude scenes. And exploit he does, given that episode 2 fixates on Cassie’s naked body as she engaged in various sex acts with another character. Of course, this begs the question—just how many nude scenes was Cassie scripted for?” said PTC Program Director Melissa Henson.

“The fact that an actress playing a teenager had to request fewer nude scenes is outrageous. This just shouldn’t have to happen. This only drives the narrative that HBO continues to exploit teen characters for its own profit,” she said.

To date, Euphoria season 2 has: Shown high school aged characters and adults in explicit sex scenes, including multiple on-screen depictions of male genitalia and female breasts; Mainstreamed underage drinking and illicit drug use; Uses graphic violence; Constantly barrages viewers with explicit language (329 “f-words” in three episodes). (Content examples and additional data can be viewed here.)

“While Levinson and HBO may shirk responsibility for this program’s effect on teens and children who are watching Euphoria, they would be wrong. When you have a show that constantly exploits its high school aged teen characters with such frequency, intensity, and in such adult ways, this can only have a negative impact on young viewers. HBO must cease its corporate irresponsibility and change course immediately,” Henson said.

The PTC is urging members of the public to sign its petition calling on AT&T/HBO to stop airing child-themed pornography.
The Parents Television and Media Council® (www.parentstv.org®) is a non-partisan education organization advocating responsible entertainment. It was founded in 1995 to ensure that children are not constantly assaulted by sex, violence and profanity on television and in other media. This national grassroots organization has more than 1.4 million members, and works with television producers, broadcasters, networks and sponsors in an effort to stem the flow of harmful and negative messages targeted to children. The PTC™ also works with elected and appointed government officials to enforce broadcast decency standards. Most importantly, the PTC produces critical research and publications documenting the dramatic increase in sex, violence and profanity in entertainment. This information is provided free of charge so parents can make informed viewing choices for their own families. Visit the new PTC Watchdog Blog at http://www.parentstv.org/blog/. Follow the PTC on Twitter: @ThePTC.