Ideal situations for traffickers would be larger and busier salons and beauty schools which are easy to get in and out of without drawing too much attention to them. Rachel Harper, from the modern slavery charity Unseen, says they "see a lot of cases" in the nail salon industry. The reality is that it is the people using the nail bars who can provide the best information as to what is happening there. 2 Jan 2018. We have included a statement provided by Chief of Police, Jay Keevan. EXO Lounge & Nail Bar, located at 2 157 Center, Edwardsville. She wants us to ask ourselves: "Is my discount worth the fact that someone might have lost all of their choice?". Obermark allegedly replied to responses to her post, saying the plaintiff is suspected of engaging in sex trafficking, money laundering, and drugs. Do they allow their manager to speak for them when addressed directly? Does the person with them seem to be watching the client closely, keeping an eye on them? Five members of a human trafficking gang which laundered 4m through student bank accounts and nail bars have been sentenced. (WDBJ) - News that singer R. Kelly was convicted on nine counts in a sex trafficking trial is shining a light once again on the problem. Several people inside the businesses were also detained, although police believe they could be victims of human trafficking who were forced into prostitution. The inside of an alleged brothel in Dallas shows cramped living spaces for victims of human trafficking forced into prostitution. "[Illegal salons] are often not much cheaper than their legitimate counterparts," says Lesley Blair, chair of the British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology. Are they unwilling to make eye contact or engage with you? !, Exo claims in its lawsuit that the statements published by the defendants were unequivocally false, unprivileged, and were defamatory . To those who have supported us, we would like to say thank you as we navigate this difficult situation, and we trust that we may count on your help and support in stopping the spread of these terrible and impactful allegations.. A middle-aged Houston mom, two of her adult children and a nephew have been accused of sex trafficking crimes in which waitresses working at a bar were forced to perform sex acts on customers. Exo seeks actual damages and punitive damages in excess of $50,000 against each defendant. What are my reporting responsibilities if I am a government official? It's time for spring fishing and they're definitely biting, Mother whose son donated organs reunites with recipient, Massive dust-storm crash shuts Interstate 55 for miles, Father McGivney's bullpen providing shutdown innings, Work on Glen Carbon's covered bridge roof will close road, 6 in Madison County charged with drug possession, 2 men charged with mob action in Madison County, Move by EPA boosts local ethanol industry, may reduce gas prices, Entrepreneurial students present products, services to the public. Thames Valley police executed the warrants at 17 premises in Berkshire, Yorkshire and London at about 10am on Tuesday. All rights reserved. As a result of the defendants alleged actions, Exo claims it sustained significant loss of revenue, damage to its standing and reputation in the community and has been unable to open additional locations or make improvements as planned. To further elaborate on EXO's charitable endeavors since its inception only 14 short months ago, and through the testy waters of COVID-19, EXO Lounge and Nail Bar has raised and donated over . It is a social setting and a lifestyle choice. A seductive and luxurious escape built for the senses. we will massage your legs and feet with our signature CBD Pain Relief Cream exclusively designed for EXO NAIL BAR. In 2016, more beauty and grooming salons opened in the UK than any other independent business. nail bar. Looking suspicious., Anderson is accused of publishing a statement on the plaintiffs Facebook page stating, Everyone on here needs to know the issue they had yesterday was getting raided for sex trafficking!!!! A NAIL bar was raided by police and immigration officers and a person was arrested as part of a crackdown on alleged human trafficking in York. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message. Anderson answered the complaint on July 20 through attorney Jarrod Beasley of Kuehn Beasley and Young PC in Belleville. The company currently consists of EXO Lounge, a unique cocktail lounge that serves organic, healthy cocktails and EXO Nail Bar, a full-service nail bar dedicated to consistently providing high customer satisfaction by rendering excellent service, quality organic products and furnishing an enjoyable atmosphere that appeals to the senses. Protected by Google ReCAPTCHA. At EXO Lounge, we are committed to high-standard business practices that have been our building blocks since the very beginning. The company currently consists of EXO Lounge, a unique cocktail lounge that serves organic, healthy cocktails and EXO Nail Bar, a full-service nail bar dedicated to consistently providing high customer satisfaction by rendering excellent service, quality organic products and furnishing an enjoyable atmosphere that appeals to the senses. Ryann Watkins-Saul replied to Bakers post stating he is an event manager at EXO Lounge and that the claims are false. Does the manager seem domineering and overly watchful of their employees? Went in today to get a powder manicure. Should you need further clarification or information about the situation, we encourage you to reach out to us personally. Obermark filed her motion to dismiss the complaint through attorney John Chassaing of Greensfelder Hemker & Gale PC in Belleville. They want people to be able to spot the signs of modern slavery, as the number of potential victims is going up. More than 150 police officers have carried out a number of raids across the country, including at six nail bars, as part of an operation to tackle human trafficking. Officers from Thames Valley and North Yorkshire . The . We are deeply saddened to see the misinformation and rumors spreading on social media.. The severe and adverse financial and reputational impact upon plaintiffs as a result of the statements published by the defendants will be long-lasting or permanent. These malicious rumors are incredibly detrimental to our business and community.. Brima Models: A Dark Story of Child Sex Trafficking on the Surface Web, The Dubai Porta Potty Instagram Models Exposed [UPDATED 2023], Female Sex Tourism in The Gambia | Secrets of The Smiling Coast, The Ugly Truth About Thai Ping Pong Shows. National Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888, https://www.facebook.com/HairdressersAtHeart/. But with proper awareness and education we can take steps to help save someone. Haley Garber @beautybyhaleygarberis a member of the MODERN SALON Artist Connective, a stylist in Ohio specializing in special occasion styling, bridal, updos and creative color. Obermark is accused of writing a post stating, Well you should check out the drama on their Facebook page EXO Lounge.. You may change your mind about going.. A Pico Rivera nightclub owner was arrested this week after federal officials say he laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars as part of a drug-trafficking . The most common age of entry into trafficking is 12-14. The Newsletter Bringing the Legal System to Light. We empathize with those hurt, upset and disturbed by the allegations. 9 of 17 10 of 17. Did this woman die because her genitals were cut? It is more prevalent in our daily lives than ever before with 10,949 cases reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Haley has written about human trafficking for MODERN SALON, before, and she shares an update on actions that interested stylists can take to help to identify and report trafficking victims. The fire was at the EXO Nail Bar on Highway 157. You can also text 233733 to get additional information to learn more about human trafficking. Performance meets portability with Apple's 2023 MacBook Pro. The suit states that Cathey published statements on Exos Facebook page accusing the plaintiff of being raided by the FBI and engaging in human sex trafficking. To find training in your area and more information such as myths and facts, statistics and more, go to w ww.polarisproject.org or www.humantraffickignhotline.org. This is extremely distasteful and if you look on their other page, they make a joke out of it. VideoThe secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, LGBT troops take love for Eurovision to front line, Why an Indian comedian is challenging fake news rules. All bar one have been released on police bail until 23 June. Men are increasingly getting in on the act, spending on average 779 per year. (Many migrants dont speak English but as this makes people more vulnerable, it is a huge plus for slave owners.). One version of the tale claims a connection to Randy Goris murder last year. Nail salons illegally using victims of modern slavery are often cheaper for customers, the charity says. This is a widespread problem with many avenues of involvement available in ending it. As four accused Dallas-area pimps are behind bars, a lawsuit filed by the city of Dallas shows what life is like for some victims of human sex trafficking. Edwardsville will be the first to experience a theme that is fresh and unique. What Does the Human Rights Act Say About Hospital Negligence? Photo credit Alex Petrou/Sharq Agency|For The Telegraph Show More Show Less 11 of 17. The City of Edwardsville has been so supportive and loyal and I love my local community, it makes perfect sense that this is where our flagship location will reside.. Whats that going to be at West End Service Station? Truth is coming out!! I ask you to please stop. Other stories about the lounge closing last Friday claim the FBI and local police stormed the club when it was really closed due to an unexpected technical issue. Despite its success, the plaintiff claims it has suffered damages after several individuals spread rumors that it was being investigated by the FBI for sex trafficking, money laundering and drugs. The first, aimed at disbanding transnational criminal organizations that traffic humans, was signed on Feb. 9, 2017. 2023 Modern Salon. Rachel Harper, from the modern slavery charity Unseen, says they "see a lot of cases" in the. Ryann Watkins-Saul replied to Bakers post stating he is an event manager at EXO Lounge and that the claims are false. Wonderful Nails. She demands strict proof that the statements were defamatory. EXO really is about keeping life interesting and providing a place where men and women can meet, have an organic beverage, be pampered, relax and ultimately, leave feeling happier than what they were when they entered, Gamblin explains. The traffickers targeting these victims could be a significant other or family member which makes identifying a potential victim difficult. . The post continues: Not only have these accusations severely impacted our business, but it has impacted our staff on both a personal and professional basis. Truth is coming out!! Acrylic Nail Bar. exo nail bar human traffickingmarketing local e individual. Defendant Wasser was merely conveying what he had been told by more than one person associated with Exo and giving his opinion based on these statements made to him and the way he had been treated as an employee of Exo, Mueller-Jones wrote. They were under investigation for sex Trafficking of the women (customers) and later on following them, stalking, then making their move.. Chassaing wrote that Obermarks social media post stated that Exo Lounge was suspected of criminal activity, which removes her comments from per se defamation as she is not stating Exo Lounge, LLC committed any crime, merely that they are suspected of having committed a crime.. The Sunday Times estimated that there were 100,000 Vietnamese manicurists working in the UK, even though there were only 29,000 Vietnamese-born migrants officially registered in census data. https rugame axonify com login; rock falls middle school staff; melee simulator script pastebin; saskatchewan roughriders salaries; andrew kerr edinburgh city council; exo nail bar human trafficking. The nail bar was closed for 1.5 days because the POS system crashed and the staff was unable to process transactions Sauls post continued. EXO Lounge and EXO Nail Bar, A Must-Visit, Sexy and Sophisticated Atmosphere with Innovative Cocktails, Bites, Elite Manicure and Pedicure Treatments and More, Opening December 2019! In a lawsuit filed by the city of Dallas against the property owner, city officials are seeking to label the property as a nuisance. The post was made shareable and was shared at least 251 times. Warnings of allergic reactions and permanent damage to nails are concerning and that is before we consider the potential issues of slavery, trafficking and exploitation among the workforce delivering the treatments. It has deeply effected (sic) our entire staff emotionally. Active cyber smear campaign targets EXO Lounge, says founder. However, Keevan denied making the statement Exo claims he made. 2 Illinois Route 157 Center Street in Edwardsville Thursday. Yep - The FBI has been tracking this for a while. The service was outstanding! At least one of the 39 smuggled migrants who suffocated or froze in a lorry in the UK last week is believed to have been a 26-year-old Vietnamese woman whose dream was to work in a nail salon. She is also passionate about being an advocate for salon education around human trafficking--what is it, how to spot it, and how to direct victims to places of support. Be treated like royalty, in an atmosphere where your pleasure is our satisfaction. The nail bar was closed for 1.5 days because the POS system crashed and the staff was unable to process transactions Sauls post continued. We try to make sure that people who may be victims of exploitation are aware of their rights and that there are agencies out there who are able to help. The suit states that the defendants' false, unprivileged, and defamatory statements were made with actual malice, or were made with such reckless disregard for the falsity of the statements, such that plaintiffs are entitled to punitive damage to deter others from similar conduct.". We dont ask ourselves whether these people are working voluntarily, and if theyre getting any salary. It is an offence to make people carry out acts against their will. This is a process of building a form of trust and dependency in the trafficker with the victim. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? EXO alleges Helms made a Facebook post stating, I mean a lot of people did see the fbi there and said money laundering was going on which was true but the dude has a lot of money and owns 2 other salons that ik of in Edwardsville., Wasser allegedly made a post stating, As a former employee, I can confirm that on numerous occasions multiple other employees (including an owner) told us that there was money laundering going on. The company posted to its Facebook page Tuesday about the allegations. The key aim of this operation is to protect vulnerable people. In response to the defendants alleged defamatory comments, Exo issued a statement on May 25 on its EXO Lounge Facebook page, which reads: It has come to our attention that EXO Lounge is currently under public scrutiny regarding specific damaging allegations. A lot of trafficking is about opportunity, and nail bars present one of the opportunities to bring people to the UK under the pretext of working, but at the end of the day exploiting them, Jardan said. Cocaine and fentanyl were among the drugs allegedly involved in some of six cases filed against An attack on a man that caused facial fractures led to allegations of aggravated battery and mob Fuel stations can sell gasoline blended with 15% ethanol during the summer under an emergency I wanted to have a business that Im truly passionate about and I want to help people but also 2023 Edwardsville Publishing Company, LLC. Potential victims can be any age, race, gender or nationality. A former employee accused of making defamatory statements against Edwardsville-based Exo Lounge and Nail Bar argues that the salon failed to prove that his statements are false, which he claims are based on opinions and other statements made to him. Photos used as evidence in that case show dire living conditions, including mattresses on the floor and cramped living quarters. Enjoy! You wont have to travel to cities like Las Vegas, Los Angeles, or New York to find an experience like EXO, Gamblin said. According to the complaint, Exo began operations as a nail salon, lounge and bar in Edwardsville in early 2020. In its May 25 post, Exo responded to comments calling its unicorn statement distasteful. With the complexity of Human Trafficking, taking educational courses about human trafficking is important to help to identify and have a full understading of what human trafficking is. Located in . Charles Bolinger covers Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Maryville, Edwardsville Township and the Collinsville School District for The Edwardsville Intelligencer. 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No detail was left unfinished. Bookmarked content can then be accessed anytime on all of your logged in devices! Despite its success, the plaintiff claims it has suffered damages after several individuals spread rumors that it was being investigated by the FBI for sex trafficking, money laundering and drugs. Regulation and licencing of nail bars is largely voluntary and, outside of a few London boroughs, this lack of regulation allows exploitative practices to continue. I ask you to please stop. The lounge is currently open for business. Follow us on social media to stay up to date on our exclusive and limited membership deals. Protected by Google ReCAPTCHA. Nail Elite. Exo also claims that in addition to several now deleted statements on its Facebook page, Garrison wrote, Wonder why my comment about the drug smuggling, prostitution, and human trafficking was deleted?!?!?! With the complexity of Human Trafficking, taking educational courses about human trafficking is important to help to identify and have a full understading of what human trafficking is. You can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733 which will put you in contact with with support advocates who will talk you through your current situation. Jay R. Jordan writes about how we get around Houston, among other topics like the environment and hot takes on complimentary bread. Is their appearance unkempt and neglected? This is a carousel. We dont think that these people could be victims of trafficking when we go these nails bars. One of those visits led to the UKs first successful prosecution of modern slavery involving minors earlier this week in Bath, where two people were jailed after forcing children trafficked from Vietnam to work in nail bars. The complaint is silent as to the facts plaintiffs assert to establish that Exo, its employees or one of its owners did not tell defendant Wasser that money was being laundered or that money was not being laundered through the business. 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"We are an industry which is supposed to pamper customers and make them feel good about themselves," he says. Once we raise awareness of the trend, there will be more proactive action. The post was made shareable and was shared at least 251 times. Statements of opinions are not actionable and therefore, plaintiffs complaint should be dismissed with prejudice.. !, Exo claims in its lawsuit that the statements published by the defendants were unequivocally false, unprivileged, and were defamatory . We empathize with those hurt, upset, and disturbed by the allegations. Trafficking and the beauty industry have a closer relation than we may initially realize. A display of EXO Nail Bar's extensive selection of polishes. The raids took place after an 18-month investigation, Operation Rehoboam, and were supported by the National Crime Agency, the Metropolitan police and North Yorkshire police, who provided tactical advice and personnel. This is the place where men and women can meet, relax and leave feeling like theyve been to a special place.. We plead that you refrain from resharing or posting these rumors. As a result of the defendants alleged actions, Exo claims it sustained significant loss of revenue, damage to its standing and reputation in the community and has been unable to open additional locations or make improvements as planned. Lynn's Nails. Disgusting!!!! At the request of EXO Lounge and Nail Bar ownership, we can confirm that there are no investigations of any kind involving EXO, Keeven said. Is climate change killing Australian wine? EXO NAIL BAR - 89 Photos & 53 Reviews - 2 157 Ctr, Edwardsville, Illinois - Nail Salons - Phone Number - Yelp 53 reviews of EXO Nail Bar "Wow! Contact the NHTRC at 1.888.3737.888. This commitment by the EXO team offers a safer environment for staff and customers. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Exo also received backlash for its initial handling of the rumors when it posted that the rumors are true and referenced a unicorn in a post on May 20. Our purchasing decisions hold power. The salon is home to a team of highly trained and skilled nail technicians who are dedicated to delivering superior finishes and top-notch customer service during every visit. If more of us are using nail bars, we need to understand the implications of what we are potentially participating in., first successful prosecution of modern slavery, Familiarise yourself with the warning signs. 134 $$ Moderate Nail Salons. Do they refuse to handle money, instead instructing you to give it to a manager to take? Experience the atmosphere at EXO Nail Bar. They argue that defendants Hannah Weinreich and Ashley Garrison have failed to respond to the complaint. 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I want the people of Edwardsville to enjoy the experience of being treated as if they are royalty, said Gamblin, as she continues to explain that some things need to be experienced before they can be appreciated. Haley Garber(@hairbyhaleygarber) is known for her elegant upstyling. In the past several days, we have taken steps to understand what happened and how these allegations unfolded. As beauty professionals we have opportunities to change peoples lives every day and this issue is no different. The outside of an alleged brothel in Dallas is seen in court documents. People who continue to make these posts are the reason that these rumors spread like wild fire (sic). If you feel that you have someone in your chair that may be a victim, the next steps are crucial. Extra police community support officers will be out on patrol today speaking to residents and businesses to inform them of todays operation and provide reassurance., This morning we have carried out a no. Does the atmosphere seem off? These visits are part of the work of the south-wests Anti-Slavery Partnership. Our establishment is a 2-year vision in the making a dream to bring a remarkable and different type of venue to Edwardsville. (Human trafficking and modern day slavery are also hugely prevalent in cheap hand car washes. Exo grew from a small start-up business and was known as being respectable, virtuous, enjoyable, and prosperous businesses within the local business community and the general public.. Garber has partnered with Wella Education and Hairdressers at Heart for an extra push in these efforts; with January being Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Wella is organizingleaders in the salon professional space like Haley to help raise awareness of this crisis and share critical information with people across the country. This. Indulge in our exclusive, first of its kind destination, serving organic cocktails blessed by the heavens. Hot stones (4 pieces) will relieve aches and pains while delivering a delightful cooling and warming sensation . In the only high-profile case, two years ago, four teenage girls were found to have been trafficked from Vietnam, forced to. Initially, trafficking of women and girls for forced sex work and, to a lesser extent, domestic servitude, were the sole focus of advocacy and assistance. They were under investigation for sex Trafficking of the women (customers) and later on following them, stalking, then making their move.. The lawsuit was filed through attorneys Russell Watters and John Cunningham of Brown & James PC in Belleville. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. Do not put yourself or the victim in danger by drawing attention to the victim or by confronting the trafficker. The inside of an alleged brothel in Dallas shows a cramped counter with beauty products on hand. Come down and see why the law, entertainers, and the like cant get enough of our wicked coffee game! the May 20 post read. Photos inside Texas brothel show sex trafficking victims bleak living conditions, authorities say. I cant say there isnt any other investigation because I dont know that, he added. Six victims of human trafficking were found, Thames Valley police said; they were sent to rest centres supported by the British Red Cross and the Salvation Army. The statements allegedly imputed that Exo committed crimes, imputed an inability to perform and a want of integrity in Exos discharge of its business operations and employment practices, prejudiced Exo and imputed a lack of the ability to conduct itself in a lawful or capable manner, and were obviously and naturally harmful to Exo that extrinsic facts concerning its damages may be presumed, the suit states. The suit states that the defendants' false, unprivileged, and defamatory statements were made with actual malice, or were made with such reckless disregard for the falsity of the statements, such that plaintiffs are entitled to punitive damage to deter others from similar conduct.". We agree, in similar circumstances, if we were fully aware of the situation and the severity of the allegations, we can see how this could be considered insensitive and distasteful. Additionally, some nail bars use chemicals which, while not illegal in the UK, are not considered best practice. The vision is simple. These malicious rumors are incredibly detrimental to our business and community. EXO Industries is a brand of lifestyle services. That's why spotting other signs - like those listed above - are important. These included three nail bars and three addresses in Reading, two nail bars and two addresses in Wokingham, one address in West Berkshire, five addresses in London and one nail bar in York. Whether youre shopping Way Day 2023 or Walmart, theres an al fresco set for you. It alleges that some of these illegal migrants are victims of "what appears to be a human-trafficking network" and that they are sometimes forced to work as prostitutes as well as manicurists.. We want to assure you, none of these allegations are true and EXO Lounge is not under investigation for any type of criminal or unscrupulous activity. Police swoop on properties including six nail bars in Berkshire, Yorkshire and London and find victims of human trafficking.