SEATTLE (AP) — King County prosecutors plan to use a trial next week in Seattle to demonstrate how pimps and johns sexually exploit children.
Three men are charged under a new law that took effect in June in Washington. It increased the penalties for promoting commercial sexual abuse of a minor. It also increased penalties for men who pay for sex with underage prostitutes.
The Seattle Times reports the law is evidence of a shift in the way police and prosecutors view the sex trade.
The three men expected to stand trial are two 22-year-olds accused of forcing a 16-year-old Seattle girl into prostitution. Also a 55-year-old man accused of paying $400 to have sex with the teen.
