Feb
29
2012
Melissa
Trafficking News & Information
Lots of states and cities are toughening their human trafficking laws and training their police right now—which is great news! Here’s a rundown of what’s going on.
Mississippi Attorney General Touts New Human Trafficking Laws
Hood said he is working with legislators to strengthen state laws prohibiting human trafficking and the exploitation of children. Among the proposals he’s working with legislators on is a bill mandating reporting of minors in the commercial sex trade as victims of child abuse or neglect. Hood wants legislation offering protection to minors who are forced to prostitute themselves and heavier penalties for those who solicit and pay for their services. Hood also hopes to have forfeiture laws in place for the human trafficking offenders and a form of restitution for the minor victims of the profitable sex trade.
Kentucky Bill to Help Fight Human Trafficking (another article: Bill to Toughen KY Human Trafficking Laws Passes House Panel)
HB 350 fills gaps in a 2007 law that made human trafficking a crime in Kentucky. If it becomes law, proceeds from asset seizures would go into a fund for agencies that help victims, including law enforcement and prosecutors. Kentucky State Police would create a human trafficking unit, and basic law enforcement training would include information about human trafficking, including how to screen for child victims.
Human Trafficking Bill Heads Through Florida Legislature
Among other changes, the bill would include economic coercion in the state’s definition of human trafficking, not just physical coercion, he said. The bill also combines all human trafficking statutes into the same law, enhances penalties and includes pornography and sexually explicit performances in the definition of commercial sexual activity.
West Virginia House Passes Human Trafficking Bill
West Virginia could be on its way to joining 48 other states with human trafficking laws on the books. A bill that cleared the House of Delegates Tuesday hands down specific penalties for those dealing in the buying and selling of people.House Bill 4053 separates human trafficking from kidnapping in West Virginia’s code.
Chicago Police Taught to Be More Alert to Signs of Human Trafficking
Investigators learned to be alert for bruises, anxious and submissive behavior, and words like “daddy,” slang for pimp. Officials say those clues might help identify victims of human trafficking.
Response to New York City Law Enforcement: To End Prostitution, Start With the Demand Side from Norma Ramos
Executive Director, Coalition Against Trafficking in Women
Commissioner Kelly, by adopting this human-rights, women’s-rights-based approach, joins the growing ranks of leaders in law enforcement who have made ending sex trafficking their priority.
For too long, prostitution laws have been enforced in a gender-discriminatory manner. Those being sold and arrested are overwhelmingly women and girls. Those who buy the prostituted, or sell them, are overwhelmingly male, and face far fewer, if any, legal consequences for their actions.
If we are to stand a chance at ending sex trafficking, we must deepen our understanding of the end point of sex trafficking, which is prostitution. Those of us who reject the notion that prostitution is sex work (when did human sexuality become work anyway?) and see it as an end result of some of the worst social conditions possible (sexual abuse in childhood, poverty, gender inequality, racism) must fashion remedies that address those conditions.
Find out more about human trafficking.
Shop ethical fashion made by survivors.
Be a part of the solution: Be part of Stop Traffick Fashion.
About Melissa
