Club Operators Against Sex Trafficking

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Strip club association partners with Feds to combat sex trafficking

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Association of Club Executives (ACE National), a trade group for U.S. strip clubs, has teamed with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
to stop sex trafficking.  “We are participating in this project because we want to be part of the  solution; not the problem,” said ACE President, Michael Ocello.

ACE President Mike Ocello

The HSI initiative engages strippers and club staff with local and federal law enforcement to teach them how to recognize,
report and rescue victims.  Ocello crafted COAST (Club Operators  Against Sex Trafficking) when charitable organizations accused the adult club
industry of being “feeder businesses” for sex trafficking.

“Human trafficking is a growing U.S. problem that happens in many industries,” explained Ocello.  “Like most Americans, club professionals are not trained to recognize trafficking. We developed  COAST to potentially save a life.”

ACE National will host a COAST Gala at 7pm, January 15, 2012 at the Dumbarton House in Washington, D.C. to celebrate COAST’s acceptance into HSI’s partner program.
Ocello will open ceremonies amidst the photojournalism of Dana Popa’s “Not  Natasha”, an exhibit of 17 women rescued from sex trafficking.

In addition to serving as ACE National’s president for eight years, Ocello is a certified police officer in the St. Louis area.

Angelina Spencer
Social Media Director
aspencer@empowermentpr.com