Leominster is a city of approximately 42,000 residents, located 20 miles north of Worcester in central Massachusetts. Cases of prostitution and sex trafficking have been well-documented in the city, along with violence occurring within the sex trade.  For example, in 2013 a man faced several charges for allegedly holding his girlfriend captive in a motel room and forcing her to engage in prostitution to generate income to support his drug habit.  He compelled her by assaulting and threatening to kill her. Sting operations in neighboring communities (such as Fitchburg and Worcester) have apprehend multiple Leominster residents for various prostitution and sex trafficking offenses.

The police department in neighboring Fitchburg has reported that Leominster conducts street-level reverse stings. No additional information is available at this time about Leominster’s efforts to address demand for commercial sex.