Two attorneys, Ana Baranowski and Meg Wynkoop, published an article, “Civil War,” for the Best Lawyers publication – Insight.
The article highlights the expansion civil lawsuits targeting various industries beyond traditional hospitality sectors for their alleged roles in facilitating sex trafficking. Industries such as banking, online platforms, transportation, nightclubs, property ownership, and even non-profits are now under scrutiny for potential involvement in trafficking operations. This shift is largely attributed to expanded federal and state legislation supporting victims, notably the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), which allows victims to sue not only traffickers but also those who knowingly benefit from trafficking activities. High-profile cases, such as settlements involving Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan Chase related to the Jeffrey Epstein cases, underscore this broader accountability. The article emphasizes the need for businesses across various sectors to proactively implement anti-trafficking policies and training to mitigate legal risks and contribute to combating this pervasive issue.
