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City of Seattle

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Mike McGinn, Mayor

NEWS ADVISORY

SUBJECT: Joint statement from Mayor Mike McGinn and Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles on Backpage.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
6/5/2012  3:15:00 PM

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Aaron Pickus  (206) 684-4000

Joint statement from Mayor Mike McGinn and Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles on Backpage.com

SEATTLE - Mayor Mike McGinn and Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles issued the following joint statement this afternoon in response to Backpage.com suing Washington State in an attempt to block SB 6251 from becoming law. SB 6251 makes advertising the commercial sexual exploitation of a minor a felony offense.

"Village Voice Media facilitates the exploitation of minors in cities and towns across America. We have informed them repeatedly that Seattle Police consider their business to be an 'accelerant' of the commercial sexual exploitation of children. We know, based on the experience of multiple online and print forums for escort services, that the only way to be sure that Backpage.com isn't being used to sell children for sex is to verify the ages of the people advertised on their site. How long will Village Voice Media continue to choose profits over protecting children?"

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Office of the Mayor

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