CITIZEN JOURNALISM: Crusading for children

Tina Frundt was 14 years old when she was forced into prostitution by “Daddy,” a pimp who lured her away from her Chicago home and pushed her onto the streets of Cleveland in 1987.

Ms. Frundt, who now runs a District-based organization that crusades on behalf of child prostitutes, said “Daddy” would dress her in spiked heels, makeup and hair pieces to make her look older. He would also take her money, beat her and send her back out to make more money.

But in the beginning, their relationship was full of romantic overtones, though he was 10 or 15 years her senior. Ms. Frundt said “Daddy” initially showered her with attention, and when she complained about her parents, he listened and gave her advice.

Young Tina swallowed the bait, ran away from home and “Daddy” reeled her into a life of prostitution.

“A pimp always manipulates your fears,” she said.

Ms. Frundt, 35, recalled her story during recent testimony before D.C. Council member Phil Mendelson’s hearing on sex trafficking. Mr. Mendelson also heard from several advocacy groups that are lobbying for anend of criminal penalties against child prostitutes.

Legislation before the council would outlaw human trafficking in the nation’s capital and levy softer penalties against prostitution.

Supporters, including federal prosecutors, also want the legislation to provide increased social services for prostitutes and provide training for police officers.

Ms. Frundt, founder and executive director of Courtney’s House, a D.C. nonprofit that aims to provide a safe haven for girls 11- to 17-year-olds who are trapped in the throes of sex trafficking, urged Mr. Mendelson to support the anti-human trafficking bill. The July 6 hearing was held before the Public Safety and Judiciary Committee, which Mr. Mendelson chairs. But he was the lone lawmaker who attended. Ward 7’s Yvette Alexander, Ward 4’s Muriel Bowser, Ward 3’s Mary Cheh and Ward 2’s Jack Evans were absent. All committee members are Democrats.

Ms. Frundt said that the emphasis of the bill should be on providing social services for prostitutes, not jail time for children forced into prostitution and sexual exploitation. She said the city prosecutes pimps vigorously. However, to stop child sexual exploitation Ms. Frundt wants to see law enforcement go after “Johns” who are buying sex from children.

“Some see prostitution as a crime that doesn’t have a victim,” said Karen Stauss, managing policy and legal counsel for the Polaris Project, a nonprofit that combats sex trafficking worldwide.

Prostitutes are victims in “the modern day practice of slavery,” Ms. Strauss said at the hearing.

Ms. Stauss also pushed for the creation of better reporting of sex crimes, victim’s compensation and police training on how to identify a victim of sexual servitude.

Currently, a prostitute could serve up to 15 years in prison if convicted of a single felony charge. The bill before the council would make prostitution a felony only after a third conviction. The first two charges of prostitution would be handled as misdemeanors which carry lesser jail time.

“Are we making a mistake there?” Mr. Mendelson asked Patricia Riley, a special counsel to the U.S. attorney’s office, at the hearing.

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