As a citizen of Houston I am passionate about protecting our children from the realities of domestic minor sex trafficking in America, and I would hope this issue is a priority for your administration. I recently became aware that Shared Hope International sent you a request to publically call on Village Voice Media to do more to eradicate child sex trafficking on their website Backpage.com. Shared Hope is a leader in the world-wide effort to eradicate sex slavery, and I am disappointed to learn that you have yet to join this important movement.

Field experts and research confirms that Village Voice Media owned Backpage.com is a major facilitator for domestic sex trafficking. It is estimated that the site will earn Village Voice Media $25.8 million this year from classifieds promoting illegal forms of commercial sex. This adult section of Backpage.com provides anonymity and accessibility for men to buy sex from children. Not only does Backpage.com host one of these adult sections Houston, but Village Voice Media is receiving revenue from the print publication the Houston Press.

I am proud to be a resident of Houston, but this kind of illegal and immoral business being conducted in our city, putting our children at risk, is a disgrace. The media has confirmed case after case of minors being bought and sold through Backpage.com. As our mayor, we expect you to join Shared Hope International (sharedhope.org) and take a public stance against this grave injustice. Please join Shared Hope’s National Mayor Campaign and call on Village Voice Media to end child sex trafficking on Backpage.com.