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Virginia: Legislation requiring the forfeiture of vehicles used in human trafficking passed the Virginia General Assembly unanimously and now goes to Virginia Governor McDonnell for his signature. Your support is needed (
March 3, 2010)
Human trafficking generates over $36 billion in profits annually. Significantly raising the financial risk to traffickers reduces the incentive to commit human trafficking. High criminal penalties for human trafficking, including incarceration and fines, are a good start. However, requiring mandatory asset forfeiture that applies broadly to all assets connected to the criminal activity and to all ill-gotten gains will create an even greater deterrent. Through asset forfeiture, the criminal is penalized, a financial incentive is created for law enforcement agencies, and additional assistance can be provided to victims.
House Bill 1113 would permit the forfeiture of a vehicle used in the crime of abduction – which covers human trafficking activities in Virginia – or the crime of prostituting a minor upon a first offense.
This critical legislation was introduced by Delegate Adam Ebbin in the House of Delegates on January 13, 2010. This legislation passed the House of Delegates on February 16, 2010 with a vote of 99-0 and passed the Senate on March 1, 2010 with a vote of 40-0. This legislation will now go to Virginia Governor McDonnell for his signature. Please take action to ensure that House Bill 1113 is enacted!
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Virginia Governor McDonnell needs to hear that the financial risk for traffickers and those that create the enabling environment for human trafficking must be increased, and Virginia can do this by enacting House Bill 1113.
- The most effective action you can take is to make a quick phone call and urge Governor McDonnell to sign House Bill 1113.
- You can reach Governor McDonnell’s office at (804) 786-2211 and urge him to sign House Bill 1113 – legislation that provides for the forfeiture of vehicles used in the crimes of abduction and pimping a minor. When you call, you can simply say:
“Hi, my name is [Name], and I am a resident of Virginia. I am calling to urge Governor McDonnell to sign into law House Bill 1113. This legislation will improve Virginia’s response to human trafficking and pimping of minors by depriving criminals of their transportation, which will send a message that their ill-gotten gains or the property they use to commit their criminal acts will be forfeited to the state. Can I count on his signature?”
- If you have another moment, please send Governor McDonnell a short email as a follow-up.
Thank you for taking action to help stop human trafficking!
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