Parlour Tricks
CP news report
“Hello, we’re the police. Will you get dressed sir?”
It was quite a surprise for clients and personnel, after police from Toronto, Durham, Peel and York forces staged a massive raid of 300 body rub parlours and holistic centres across the G.T.A. Thursday night.
“Operation Home for Christmas” was designed to locate underage children and illegal immigrants working in the salacious trade. And unfortunately, police found exactly what they were looking for.
At one place in Toronto, cops discovered a 16-year-old girl engaged in a sex act with a 37-year-old man. A 17-year-old was also found working at the same location.
Five teens under the age of 18 were discovered overall, but three refused to co-operate with police. And under the law, after they turn 16, authorities are powerless to do much. “We ... do not have the power to apprehend or do anything with these children unless that child is fully willing and consenting for us to help them,” laments Det. Reuben Stroble. “If they don't want us to help them, we have to leave them in that environment of misery.”
Cops also interrogated more than 21 people with questionable immigration histories, and talked to 500 women, some of whom felt “intimidated and felt they had to be there,” explains Stroble.
But despite the massive number of facilities raided, only two were ultimately arrested. A 20-year-old Detroit man is facing a variety of charges, including living off the avails of prostitution. And that local 37-year-old will face justice for obtaining the sexual services of a person under 18.
A total of 270 bylaw charges were laid, but it may not put much of a dent in things. All the establishments were re-open for business on Friday.
full story and video report can be found here
http://www.pulse24.com/News/Top_Story/20031219-004/page.asp
