The laws governing business registration in the United States are enabling illicit massage parlors to flourish in secrecy, shielding traffickers from law enforcement and prosecution, according to a report released by Polaris.

Polaris applauded the U.S. Senate after the chamber passed the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA), which helps hold websites like accountable when they knowingly facilitate sex trafficking. 

Cases of human trafficking reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888) and BeFree Textline (233733) jumped by 13 percent in 2017 from the previous year, according to data released by Polaris.