Manipulated by predators, sold for sex: 12 survivors of online sexual exploitation denied justice
9. J.B. v. Craigslist, Inc. (9th Cir. May 3, 2023)
J.B. was sex trafficked as a minor and advertised to buyers through the "Erotic Services" page on Craigslist, according to NCOSE's report. The buyers would rape her in hotel rooms, and some used physical violence and weapons against her.
Another hotel customer overheard J.B.'s cries for help one of the nights that a man came to sexually abuse her, and the customer called the police. J.B. begged the authorities not to arrest her trafficker, fearful of how he might retaliate against her.
According to NCOSE, the police left, and the hotel employees allowed the trafficker to stay in the room with the minor.
"J.B. eventually filed a lawsuit against Craigslist, alleging that they financially benefited from the ads and made 'an estimated $36 million in revenue' from trafficking on its site," the advocacy group reported. "She also accused the platform of knowing minors were being trafficked on its site and failing to take action to stop it."
"Sadly, when J.B. brought her claims into court, they ruled that Craigslist had immunity under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act."
Samantha Kamman is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: samantha.kamman@christianpost.com. Follow her on Twitter: @Samantha_Kamman
