3 men charged with luring and forcing teens into prostitution

CBC News Posted: Jan 4, 2013 9:17 PM MT Last Updated: Jan 4, 2013 9:38 PM MT

Edmonton Police have charged three men in two unrelated incidents where teenage girls were lured, confined and forced into prostitution.

In one case, police say a teenager from Saskatoon was lured to Edmonton last July through the internet.

Police spokesman Scott Pattison said a female acquaintance told the girl that they would "meet some friends ... party and go to West Edmonton Mall."

Once she arrived, Pattison says the accused bought the girls food, clothes and makeup. The victim was choked, beaten and sexually assaulted. She was forced into the sex trade and held captive in a motel in south Edmonton.

After several attempts, the teen was able to escape by asking her captor if she could go get a soft drink. A motorist called police after the intoxicated and shoeless girl was seen passed out under a street lamp.

A 25-year-old man was arrested on Dec. 20th. He faces numerous charges including unlawful confinement, procuring prostitution and trafficking a person under the age of 18.

In the second case, a 16-year-old girl introduced an 18-year-old girl to two men who allegedly forced her into prostitution and held her captive in a motel in west Edmonton.

The men, aged 23 and 31, were arrested on Thursday and face charges which include human trafficking, procuring prostitution and living off the avails of prostitution.

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I think this happens much more than we realize.