By Phil Orlandella
The Boston Police Departments (BPD) has sent a clear message that they are stepping up its campaign targeting online sex trade customers with Facebook ads using an increased grant from advocacy groups.
Cambridge-based DeMand Abolition will award the Boston Police Departments a grant of $41,000 to fight the sex trade. Last year the company gave a grant of $30,000. The funds will be used to attempt to cut online demand for sex trafficking.
Using targeted Internet ads as a way of curbing online sex trafficking is intended to hit potential Johns with the consequences of their behavior, making them realize the damage they are creating.
The next step is an increased push from state and city officials to crack down on the Internet-based sex trade that has expanded throughout the state.
Johns are one of the targets of the BPD initiatives as well.