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Pennsylvania: Action Alert on Human Trafficking Hotline Legislation

PENNSYLVANIA ACTION ALERT

NEW & IMPROVED LEGISLATION INTRODUCED:
To Post the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline  

Human Trafficking is one of the fastest growing criminal industries in the world, in which traffickers reap billions in profits by using force, fraud or coercion to rob victims (including US citizens and foreign nationals) of their freedom.  And while there are approximately 14,500-17,500 human beings trafficked into the U.S. each year, it is estimated that thousands of U.S. citizens are trafficked within the United States, including an estimated 100,000 children.  Pennsylvania is not exempt from the brutality of human trafficking, and due to some resistance in a Senate Committee, legislators have redrafted the bill, and it has been introduced in the House and the Senate!

The new, bipartisan legislation, HB 13 (by Representative Clymer) and SB 1442 (by Senator Leach) is slightly different from SB 1227 introduced earlier this year.  The new bills will require placement of the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) Hotline number in key establishments, including places of transit (truck stops, welcome centers and bus stations) and in venues where victims may be found “at work” (such as certain hotels/motels, strip clubs, massage parlors). The hotline provides callers - victims, tipsters, and community members - with a bridge to help by linking callers with one or more of over 3000 resources across the country.  Placing this hotline in key locations is critical to fighting this brutal crime, and to rescuing victims, because the crime is hidden in the shadows and traffickers work hard to keep victims of trafficking highly isolated. 

Texas was the first state to require posting of the NHTRC hotline in public locations. Since that time the state has consistently been the highest in call volume to the hotline, resulting in rescued victims and a greater awareness of the crime throughout the state.  

Sex and labor trafficking in Pennsylvania. 
Sex trafficking occurs in pimp-controlled street prostitution, commercial-front massage parlors, and closed-network residential brothels.  Victims are increasingly advertised on internet sites like Craigslist.  Pennsylvania is also a “pass through” state for human trafficking.  The many interstate highways going through Pennsylvania connect major trafficking hotspots in Ohio and New York, and New Jersey to Florida.  Rarely do traffickers allow victims to have a night off, so even when traveling, they are forced to work.  Truck stops, especially those along the “Miracle Mile” are well known for playing host to sex trafficking. Victims of labor trafficking are typically found in domestic servitude, agriculture, nail salons, and even in traveling sales crews selling candy or magazine subscriptions.  Victims of human trafficking face a horrific life in which they are threatened, beaten, raped, starved, locked up, or psychologically tortured.  

  PLEASE TAKE ACTION 

The legislation has strong support from advocacy organizations across the state, and from stakeholders such as the Tavern Association and the Tourism and Lodging Association. However, the original hotline bill (SB 1227) has been blocked by Senator Gordner, Chair of the Labor and Industry Committee and some legislators have said that they want to wait until after the newly formed human trafficking advisory committee provides its recommendations. Unfortunately, the advisory committee will not have its recommendations for 2 more years, and there are victims enslaved in PA right now who need help! Therefore it is imperative that Pennsylvania residents reach out to Chairman Gordner, as well as their state representative and senator, and urge them move this bill forward! 

This is an easy request to make, will take just 30 seconds, and you don't need to be an expert to take part!  See below for additional talking points.  Here is what you can do:

1. Determine who your STATE senator and STATE representative is by going to: www.legis.state.pa.us. Simply enter your zip code in the far right box and click enter.

2.  Then, place a quick call to your senator and your representative and urge them to take action NOW to help victims of human trafficking.  Urge your representative to support and cosponsor HB 13, and urge your senator to support and cosponsor SB 1442, the Human Trafficking Hotline bill.  Here is an example of what you can say, but please personalize your message: 

“Hi, my name is [   ] and I am the senator's constituent. I am calling to urge the Senator to cosponsor and support SB 1442, legislation that will help victims of human trafficking right now in Pennsylvania, by requiring posting of the National Human Trafficking Hotline by certain establishments.  This legislation is sponsored by Senator Leach and Representative Clymer.  Will the Senator support this important legislation?” 

4. Send an email to your State Senator or Representative by clicking here.

5.  Take more action!  The Letter the Editor section of most newspapers is the most read section!  Take a moment to write your own letter to the editor to urge readers to ask their legislators to support legislation to post the NHTRC Hotline (888-3737-888).   Click HERE to see a sample LTE.

If you should have any questions or have heard back from your legislators about cosponsoring this bill, please email Julie at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

Additional Information and Talking Points in Support of HB13 and SB1442

Bill Specifics 

  • What HB13 and SB1442 does:  Requires the posting of the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline by entities where victims are most likely to see it.
  • Intent of HB13 and SB1442:  The measure is an effort to provide greater outreach to victims of human trafficking. If just one victim of trafficking see's the hotline number and makes a call, it is worth it. 
  • Cost:  HB13 and SB1442 require the Department of Labor and Industry make the sign available for download on thier website - at no cost to the state! This is modeled after the similar human trafficking hotline posting law in Maryland.
  • Enforcement:  HB13 and SB1442 ar2 intended to provide a link to critical help for victims of human trafficking.  The language of the bill is drafted under the Labor and Industry code and provides an option for a civil penalty (fine) or a criminal penalty, depending on who enforces the posting, for entities who do not post the sign.  In Texas, wherre the posting of the Hotline has yielded tremendous results, the licensing agency conducts a normal inspection to ensure that all other requirements are met by the entity, so too can the agency in Pennsylvania.  
  • What else: The resolution to create the PA Human Trafficking Advisory Committee passed this week.  Enacting the hotline posting bill will provide the committee with another tool to determine what type of trafficking activity is in the state, and where it is most often occurring. 

Current State Law:  In 2006 the Pennsylvania legislature made human trafficking a second degree felony, unless the perpetrator injures the victim or the victim is under 18, in which case it is a first degree felony.  In addition, traffickers will face forfeiture of any assets associated with the crime – potentially providing the state with tens of thousands of dollars.  

Potential reasons why the PA human trafficking law has not been utilized:  

  • lack of knowledge by the public and victims on how to identify the crime of human trafficking, and where to turn once they have;
  • a common misconception that only the federal government can take effective action in cases of human trafficking, when in truth, more often it is local and state law enforcement and victim service providers who come into direct contact with it; 
  • victims of trafficking are usually kept isolated from society and unable to ask for help without risking severe reprocussions from traffickers;
  • victims are often seen as prostitutes who choose to be “in the life” or as “illegals” whom society may disregard;  
  • a lack of coordination between law enforcement, prosecutors, victim service providers and the public on human trafficking cases, training, action plans, and victim resources; and no centralized venue to convey information on responding to the crime of human trafficking.

    • The NHTRC Hotline is funded primarily through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is operated by a non-profit organization.   Call specialists field calls 24 hours a day/7 days a week, in over 150 languages and are able to provide an immediate response to urgent calls and tips by connecting callers to one of over 3,000 local referral organizations.   It provides assistance to victims, information and training on human trafficking.   Calls are confidential and can be anonymous – providing a critical service to victims and those who wish to provide tips but may be reluctant to contact law enforcement directly. 

     

     ***Read More: Pennsylvania Human Trafficking in the News***

     

     
     
    For a World Without Slavery