Category: Politics

Hawley introduces bill to document scope of human trafficking in America

Hawley introduces bill to document scope of human trafficking in America

Feb 17, 2020 | , , , , , ,

A law passed by Congress in 2005 mandated that the Justice Department provide research, statistical review and analysis of severe trafficking of persons every two years in order to know the scope of the problem. Unfortunately, only one was ever done, in 2009.
This new bill will mandate that a comprehensive national study on human trafficking will be conducted every two years there will be statistical information available to the public to see as well as help experts in human trafficking to learn how human traffickers are currently operating and how to stop them. Kevin Malone, president of the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking, said that these national studies “would be a tremendous help because a lot of people don’t believe the problem exists.”

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Trump signs executive order to combat human trafficking as some advocacy groups boycott summit

Trump signs executive order to combat human trafficking as some advocacy groups boycott summit

Feb 3, 2020 | , , , , ,

Washington, D.C.
“The anti-trafficking community received a major shot in the arm this morning with President Trump’s announcement,” said Lance Lemmonds of the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking. “President Trump has committed more federal resources and more national focus on combating the systematic buying and selling of our nation’s kids than any administration in history.”
On January 31, 2020, “Trump signed an executive order Friday creating a position within his domestic policy team dedicated solely to fighting human trafficking. The order proposes an additional $42 million in funding for service programs and prosecutions…The order also establishes a federal working group on housing for trafficking survivors and a website listing the government’s anti-trafficking resources.”

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Cuomo Vetoes Bill That Would Train Public Transportation Workers To Spot Human Trafficking

Cuomo Vetoes Bill That Would Train Public Transportation Workers To Spot Human Trafficking

Dec 26, 2019 | , ,

New York Senator Alessandra Biaggi noted that “human-traffickers rely heavily on public transportation to move their victims, in plain sight, across the country.” In his veto memo, Cuomo noted that the New York Interagency Task Force Against Human Trafficking already offers a training that “meets the minimum requirements” outlined in Biaggi’s bill.

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Legalized prostitution will put DC’s most at-risk youth in further jeopardy

Legalized prostitution will put DC’s most at-risk youth in further jeopardy

Oct 28, 2019 | , ,

“The real issue lies in demand for sex with young people, with millions of Americans seeking out and purchasing sex with our most vulnerable citizens. As more and more buyers enter the market, sex trafficking of vulnerable youth will increase exponentially because of the statutory protections afforded by legalized prostitution.” writes Kevin Malone, President of the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking.

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D.C. leaders hear from public over proposal to decriminalize sex work

D.C. leaders hear from public over proposal to decriminalize sex work

Oct 18, 2019 | , , ,

The bill at the center of the hearing would amend existing city laws to eliminate criminal penalties for selling or buying sex in the District. If passed, it would make the District the only U.S. jurisdiction to legalize prostitution, outside of some areas of Nevada where legal brothels exist. Prostitution involving minors and coercing others to engage in sex work against their will would remain illegal.

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Bill classifies strip clubs as adult theater so state can regulate them, protect children

Bill classifies strip clubs as adult theater so state can regulate them, protect children

May 7, 2019 | , ,

Strip clubs will be classified as adult theaters to ensure they’ll be regulated by the state under a legislative crackdown aimed at preventing human trafficking. Bill classifies strip clubs as adult theater so state can regulate them, protect childrenStuart Rep. Toby Overdorf co-sponsored House Bill 851 and added the adult-theater classification, in part to ensure strip club owners don’t hire underage employees.

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Local deputy awarded for dedication to fighting human trafficking

Local deputy awarded for dedication to fighting human trafficking

Apr 25, 2019 | , ,

“The support of my administration and the strength of the Heart of Texas Human Trafficking Coalition is having an impact, not only in Central Texas, but throughout the state,” Det. Joseph Scaramucci told KWTX.
Scaramucci was the keynote speaker at the fundraising luncheon at the Austin Country Club in Austin, TX. Within one hour, the event raised more than $300,000.

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Massage parlors still overlooked in fight against human trafficking, advocates say

Massage parlors still overlooked in fight against human trafficking, advocates say

Mar 18, 2019 | , , ,

When state Rep. Vincent Pedone, D-Worcester, stepped up to Statehouse podium in 2006 to call for the regulation of massage therapy, he was quickly met by laughter and catcalls that filled the chamber and cut him short. The bill that passed that day — despite lawmakers’ laughter, but policymakers and society still don’t take massage, and the human traffickers who increasingly hide behind it, seriously.

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Sen. Bob Corker: Rob Portman will take over lead in human-trafficking battle

Sen. Bob Corker: Rob Portman will take over lead in human-trafficking battle

Dec 30, 2018 | , ,

NASHVILLE — U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said Friday that a colleague, Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, will now lead congressional efforts to end modern slavery across the globe after the Chattanoogan leaves office next week.

“For years, Senator Portman has been a champion in Congress in the fight against human trafficking here at home, and I can think of no one better to take up the mantle in the global fight against this scourge on humanity as I depart the Senate,” Corker stated Friday in a news release.

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Hardister Crafting Legislation To Combat Human Trafficking

Dec 27, 2018 | , , ,

tate Rep. Jon Hardister is drafting legislation for introduction in 2019 that’s meant to help prevent school-age children from falling victim to human trafficking – a problem Hardister and an increasing number of others say is a fast growing threat in North Carolina. Thirty-five states have adopted some form of “Erin’s Law,” which requires schools to teach a prevention-oriented program on sexual abuse and trafficking.

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Tennessee Governor Considering Clemency for Cyntoia Brown

Tennessee Governor Considering Clemency for Cyntoia Brown

Dec 14, 2018 | , ,

Tennessee Governor Haslam was speaking at an event when Justin Lang, a higher-education professional stepped up to the mic during the audience question portion. “As a victim of sex trafficking and assault, this is an unjust sentence in the first place,” Lang said. Under Tennessee law, all minors engaged in sex work are legally considered victims of sex trafficking. “She has not been treated as a victim of trafficking and not given the justice she deserves.”

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Revenge porn, human trafficking bill filed in state legislature

Revenge porn, human trafficking bill filed in state legislature

Dec 14, 2018 | , ,

A bill that would seek to amend state law involving obscenity, dealing with issues like revenge pornography and human trafficking, was the only bill filed Wednesday at the state capitol in Little Rock. A person found guilty could face up to a year in jail or a $500 fine, or both “for each prohibited image, video or audio depiction, or website found to be accessible at the time of the offense.”

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Judge to attorney charged with human trafficking: No lower bond

Judge to attorney charged with human trafficking: No lower bond

Nov 28, 2018 | , , ,

Attorney Robert Poole pleaded not guilty Monday to 15 charges including human trafficking of a minor and rape. A police investigation into human trafficking charges against prominent conservative activist and former judge Tim Nolan led to a tip about Poole, said Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear Nov. 16 in a news release. The 50-year-old Poole was arrested Nov. 16 at his Erlanger law office. A Kenton County grand jury indicted Poole on sex crimes charges.

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Human trafficking larger issue than many realize.

Human trafficking larger issue than many realize.

Jul 5, 2018 | , ,

In an ongoing effort to combat a crime considered by law enforcement officials to be particularly malicious and pervasive, human trafficking, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced this week the 2018 anti-human trafficking public safety notice that businesses and other establishments across the state are now required to publicly display.

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Human Trafficking Widespread in Global Fishing Industry

Human Trafficking Widespread in Global Fishing Industry

Jul 2, 2018 | , ,

The U.S. Department of State has released its 2018 Trafficking in Persons Report, an annual publication that provides a global overview of the nature and scope of trafficking in persons and various efforts underway to confront it. The report’s theme of “local solutions to a global problem” highlights the critical role of communities in recognizing and combating slavery.

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Erase the records of trafficking victims

Erase the records of trafficking victims

Jun 28, 2018 | ,

The General Assembly has approved a bill that would allow for human trafficking victims to have their criminal records expunged, creating a pathway for survivors to move forward without the burden of a record they did not deserve.

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New resource for victims of human trafficking in Washington

New resource for victims of human trafficking in Washington

Jun 20, 2018 | ,

Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s office has unveiled a new website to give people a lifeline – and a way out of human trafficking. The site was built in partnership with several agencies from King County and the state, and features downloadable resources, information, and a calendar of anti-trafficking events.

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