Springs Police begin releasing photos of people convicted of hiring prostitutes
The Colorado Springs Police Department is trying a new approach in the fight against prostitution.
The department formed a human trafficking investigation team last year to address the growing commercial sex trade in the region.
Police say that releasing information about people convicted of solicitation of prostitution is a proven way to combat the crime.
CSPD says that names, photographs and other public record information for those convicted of soliciting for prostitution will be released for cases originating after January 1, 2015.
The department released its first round of photos and information on Monday, April 6.
Dr. Douglas Weiss, Executive Director of Heart to Heart Counseling Center said this practice has worked in other cities, and he thinks it will work here too.
“I work a lot with sex addiction. You can’t remove opportunity, but you can remove secrecy,” he said. “Once you remove secrecy, it stops the process significantly.”
Weiss said he has worked with men who solicit prostitution for 25 years. He said getting caught is often good for them, as it leads to the beginning of a new life.
He said prostitution is not a victimless crimes, but that it hurts everyone involved.
“I’ve worked with prostitutes, and they tell me how they get conned into doing this, how they are drugged, how they are used, how their soul feels totally destroyed after doing this, even if they feel like they volunteered, they’re totally destroyed,” he said. “Ive talked to the guys who have used prostitutes, and the guilt that they feel and the desperateness and the dirtiness and the secrets that they feel.”
He said if the people soliciting prostitution are married, their spouses are also deeply hurt.
“They’re hurt, they feel betrayed, and now it’s publicly known,” Weiss said. “To them, I would say, ‘It’s got nothing to do about your sexuality at home. Nothing about your age or your size. These men would’ve done it no matter who they are married to.”
He said there is help available for everyone.
