BRANSON, Mo. -- A Christian organization is adding Branson to its list of cities vulnerable to prostitution.
NightLight commits to preventing any kind of sexual exploitation and rehabiliting those who work in the industry and want out.
Mindy Stewart, a graduate of Hollister High School, opened the office in Branson after spending several months abroad.
She says NightLight focuses on much more than prostitution; she visits strip clubs in Taney County, Christian County and Springfield.
Stewart says the Ozarks embodies the contributing risks to sexual exploitation.
"We know the risk factors exist here - poverty, tourism, drugs, former abuse and single parent homes," Stewart said.
The police chief says that might be true, but that doesn't mean it's a problem.
"I haven't seen complaints in Branson or any police reports," said Branson Police Chief Kent Crutcher. "The possibility exists - just like it does in many communities. We just don't see it here"
The chief says he's never heard from Stewart or anyone from the organization. We got the same response from the Springfield Police Department, and Christian County and Taney County Sheriff's offices.
The last prostitution-related arrest in the Ozarks happened last month in Springfield. Before that, the last one was about a year and a half ago, also in Springfield.
