(NEWS CENTER Maine)--
Law enforcement entities and sex trafficking victim advocates seem to both want the same thing. An end to women and men being exploited and being victims of the sex trade. At times though, how to achieve that goal can be a divisive topic.
Advocates of sex trafficking victims are disappointed that the Lewiston Police Department chose to publish the names and faces of three people arrested for prostitution. The information was also shared on the department's Facebook and Instagram pages.
"It's challenging once that happens because it puts barriers between people wanting to receive services and wanting to receive help because they're already being labeled and identified as a prostitute. And once you give the label to somebody, it's hard to come back from that personally, professionally and just in the world in general," said Tricia Grant-Gregoire who was trafficked when she was just 15 years old and now advocates for victims.
Lt. Dave St. Pierre says he is sensitive to the fact that some of the people who engage in prostitution, are not doing it of their own free will.
"We try to make sure we determine that they're not being trafficked or exploited sexually, that they're having someone controlling their choices... We bend over backward but we still need to recognize and the community needs to recognize, this is still an illegal activity that's negatively impacting the community."