Sex abuse group proposes tax on Ind. strip clubs

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- A group that helps victims of sexual assault wants Indiana legislators to enact a $5 tax for strip club customers.

Erik Scheub of the Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault says that two-thirds of the state's 92 counties offer inadequate services for survivors of sex crimes. The only state funding amounts to about $25,000 a year.

Julian Center executive director Melissa Pershing says Indiana's rape crisis centers are "woefully underfunded."

Scheub says a $5 tax charged patrons at the doors of Texas strip clubs generates more $10 million a year. Utah and Illinois also have recently enacted taxes or surcharges to fund programs for victims.

Proponents of the strip club tax say there's a strong link between adult entertainment and sexual abuse.