The Asbury Park Press has refused to remove ads from their paper under the headings of Massage and Escort services. Ads in these categories have been proven, in other publications, to support Human Trafficking. We are asking local businesses to consider moving their advertising dollars to papers that do not profit from advertising of services that have the potential for abuse of women and children.

Tens of thousands of women and children are trafficked into and around the US each year. Many will be prostituted with little hope of rescue. Every day some of these individuals are sold in classified ads in newspapers and online under the headings of Massage and Escort Services. Last year Craig's List shut down their Adult Services listings. Several major newspapers have also taken this great step such as the Washington Post.  The Asbury Park Press is a newspaper in Central New Jersey owned by Gannett, an international media and marketing company. Like most newspapers, its primary source of revenue is advertising. A significant amount of revenue is generated by Massage and Escort ads leading to their reluctance to remove these ads. Our belief is that businesses, serving the community and advertising their services in papers and online, should be made aware of the potential for abuse created by the posting of these types of ads. Please sign our petition asking advertisers to remove their ads from the Asbury Park Press until their ads for Massage and Escort services are removed. This petition will go to 40 advertisers and the management at the Asbury Park Press.