Ricky Martin stopping child prostitution

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LOS ANGELES, June 7 (UPI) -- Pop star Ricky Martin has formed a non-profit group to end child prostitution around the world.

Martin's "People for Children" is aimed at creating laws to end child prostitution and trafficking in Asia, Latin America and other areas, as well as take the victimized youth off the streets, Access Hollywood's Web site reported Monday.

"This is the biggest issue society will be facing in the next 10 years," Martin said.

"Two million children in Asia are given into prostitution, 2 million in Latin America. This is a problem that every country on this planet is facing," he said, adding that the United States also is affected.

Martin was moved to form the non-profit organization after he traveled to India where he helped rescue young girls from the streets.

"I'm trying to create new laws. I'm trying to make sure in every country prostitution is illegal," Martin said.

In many countries, a person is considered an adult at age 12, Martin said, making the youngster's involvement in the practice legal.