From a longer term perspective, pre-internet, every major city had some form of brothel, whether a club or massage parlor. If you were new in town, it could be challenging to find them. Some advertised in the alternative newspaper. Cabbies might know. Most of the general public had no idea these places existed, so police usually left them alone.
With the Internet, anyone could quickly find a map of these places with detailed reviews. Do-gooders in the thousands became aware of exactly what was going on. Politicians and demagogues ( but, I repeat myself ) decided to proclaim that women were always victims, coining the term “Trafficking” and applying it to every sex worker situation. They called themselves heroes for “rescuing” women in the adult entertainment industry. That was the perfect storm.