Very depressing article entitled “Sex tourism thriving in Bible Belt.” The initial focus is on Atlanta, because “Atlanta’s the No. 1 sex center in the country” and the article states: “A new federal law passed in 2003 ensures that American sex tourists landing on foreign soil and hiring prostitutes under the age of 18 can get 30 years in prison. But in Georgia, punishment for pimping or soliciting sex with a girl under 18 is only five to 20 years, according to Deborah Espy, the Deputy District Attorney of Fulton County.” I don’t know much about behavioral studies related to criminal sentencing, but it strikes me as odd that the ten year difference between maximum sentences is thought to have an influential role in the amount of “sex tourism” (something about that term grates) that occurs in Atlanta. It probably wouldn’t be that difficult to get the maximum penalty increased. It’s hard to imagine anyone opposing it. Other factors like the “convenience” (ugh) of Atlanta are mentioned too, which of course is a lot more difficult to address.
The article later notes:The FBI has identified 14 U.S. cities as centers for the sexual exploitation of children. In addition to Atlanta, they are Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tampa, and Washington, D.C. It’s not just “the bible belt,” folks.
