Where Did The Rescued Go?

Yesterday I wrote about Shared Hope International and this morning a friend sent me this interesting article from a local Washington state news site:

On cue, six officers in tactical gear swarm the bedroom, and the juvenile prostitute is caught. The “john” was actually an undercover officer.

This sting was just one of several made by Vancouver police officers and Clark County sheriff’s deputies Oct. 22 as part of a nationwide mission aimed at rescuing child prostitutes.

Spearheaded by the FBI, Operation Cross Country IV took place in 36 cities throughout the country Oct. 22 and the following weekend.

This was the first sting of its type in Vancouver, officials said.

The local operation netted the rescue of two underage prostitutes and the arrests of seven adult prostitutes and three alleged pimps, a signal that a problem once believed to be a Portland-only phenomenon or an underground Vancouver secret should now be treated as a salient issue, said Vancouver police Lt. John Chapman.

Chapman and police highlighted the operation’s results during a day-long training forum for local law enforcement officials Thursday at the Vancouver First Church of God in Hazel Dell.

The event was sponsored by Shared Hope International, a Vancouver organization that targets global sex slavery.

The first question that comes to mind is: what happens to the “rescued” juvenile prostitute? If you know, tell me in the comments please. : ) The second thing is: jesus, really? The cops are holding forums in churches? Yuck. Isn’t that some sort of violation of church and state?

(btw – the youngest was 16)