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All Advocates: Take Action on Federal Legislation to Help Minor Victims of Sex Trafficking
(July 28, 2010)
Legislation is now under consideration to target provide help to victims of sex trafficking, including children. More than 100,000 children are victimized in the US each year in commercial sexual exploitation and prostitution. And for those who are rescued, little help is currently available. However, federal legislation is now under consideration in Congress to change this, and with just a few months left before Congress adjourns, your action is critical to moving the bills forward. Please take action now!
All Advocates: State Ratings are In!
(August 2010)
Polaris Project's 2010 Human Trafficking State Ratings are out - providing advocates and lawmakers with a glimpse into what state laws are needed in each state to improve a comprehensive approach to combat human trafficking! The map features the “Dirty Dozen” – twelve states that have failed to enact basic human trafficking provisions or have provisions that fail to adequately address the growing crime. In addition, all states are evaluated. Each is given a score of 0-10 based on the inclusion and strength of ten statutes. The ratings indicate how equipped states are to respond to human trafficking and serve as a resource for lawmakers on what specific provisions should be enacted to improve each state’s comprehensive approach to combating the issue. See what statutes your state is missing here. Please take a moment to see what can be done to combat human trafficking in your state!
Pennsylvania Hotline Bill Needs Your Voice!
(July 27, 2010)
Legislation to require that National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) hotline number be posted in key establishments to provide resources and information to victims and community members is now under consideration and needs your support! This new legislation was introduced by Representative Paul Clymer in the House and Senator Daylin Leach in the Senate, and it seeks to reach victims and community members in places of transit (such as truck stops and bus stations), and in locations where victims are “at work” in common sex or labor trafficking venues (certain hotels/motels, strip clubs, massage parlors). Posting the NHTRC toll free hotline will provide a central venue for reporting tips, helping victims and providing information on trafficking to the public. Please take a moment to speak out in support of this critical legislation.
Washington DC: Comprehensive Human Trafficking Signed!
(June 22, 2010)
The full DC Council voted unanimously to pass the Prohibition Against Human Trafficking Act (number 18-70) on June 1st and the Mayor signed this groundbreaking bill on June 21st! This legislation now heads to Capitol Hill for Congressional review. If Congress approves, this important bill will make human trafficking a crime, provide severe penalties for traffickers, and help victims of both labor and sex trafficking in DC. Find out more!
Ohio: Anti-Human Trafficking Legislation Needs Your Voice!
(Updated June 12, 2010)
The Ohio State Legislature is now considering important legislation to address the grave crime of human trafficking. Please join us in taking action to support SB235 to criminalize human trafficking and punish the criminals who exploit others for profit in Ohio. Ohio is one of only seven states with no human trafficking laws! Click here to take action now!
Marylanders: Two Human Trafficking Bills Signed by the Governor!
(Updated May 20, 2010)
The Governor signed two important bills into law to address human trafficking in Maryland, but one of the most critical did not make it to his desk. Please read more and take action!
Pennsylvania State Senate Passes Human Trafficking Resolution!
(May 15, 2010)
A resolution to create a State Human Trafficking Advisory Committee has passed the Pennsylvania Senate and now heads to the Joint State Legislative Commission for implementation. This resolution, sponsored by Senator Greenleaf and by Representative True, establishes an advisory committee to study and collect important information about human trafficking within Pennsylvania; bring law enforcement, victim service providers and prosecutors together; and recommend policies to help bring human traffickers to justice and provide needed assistance to victims. Read More
Alabama: Legislature Passes Its First-Ever Comprehensive Human Trafficking Legislation!(Updated May 4, 2010)Polaris Project commends the Alabama legislature and Governor for enacting Alabama's first comprehensive state anti-human trafficking legislation. House Bill 432 was signed into law on April 30, 2010. It creates brand new human trafficking crimes and penalties; provides for asset forfeiture and seizure; provides for mandatory restitution to victims; allows victims to sue their traffickers; and creates other protections for victims of human trafficking. With this signing, the number of states with no anti-human trafficking crime on their books is reduced to 5: Hawaii, Massachusetts; Ohio; South Dakota and West Virginia.
Virginia: Legislature Unanimously Passes Criminal Forfeiture Legislation!
(Updated March 3, 2010)
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. 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. Please help support this legislation by calling or emailing Governor McDonnell to urge him to sign into law House Bill 1113!
Vermont: Legislation creating an Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force needs your support!
(Updated March 1, 2010)
In order to better understand the problem of human trafficking in Vermont, the Vermont Senate recently passed Senate Bill 272, which would create an anti-human trafficking task force and a law enforcement advisory board. This task force and advisory board will raise public awareness about human trafficking in Vermont and will recommend changes to improve Vermont’s approach to combating human trafficking within its borders. Please help support this legislation by calling your state representatives and telling them to vote ‘Yes’ on Senate Bill 272! Take action today!
Oregonians: Human Trafficking Hotline Bill Signed into Law
(March 2010)
In Oregon, victims of sex and labor trafficking include both U.S. citizens and foreign nationals, minors and adults. One of the tactics that traffickers use to control and manipulate victims, is to keep them as isolated as possible. Thankfully legislation that will increase awareness about this horrible crime and provide needed help to victims and anyone wishing to provide tips on human trafficking was signed by the governor! Please take a moment to check out this new law! !
Washingtonians: Human Trafficking Legislation Passes!
(March 12, 2010)
Washington state is not immune from the blight of sex trafficking and labor trafficking. Thankfully the legislature has passed, and the Governor has signed a bill to help extend assistance to victims and awareness to the community about human trafficking. Senator Kohl-Welles sponsored legislation to require placement of human trafficking informational posters in bathroom stalls at rest stops. Please take a moment to thank her your legislators for supporting this important bill!
Vermont: Comprehensive Human Trafficking Legislation Heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on January 15 - Please Take Action!
(Updated January 20, 2010)
Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing criminal industries in the world, and every year traffickers generate billions of dollars by exploiting those seeking a better life, including U.S. citizens. Vermont’s current law falls behind federal law and a majority of state laws because it fails to criminalize labor trafficking and does not address critical elements of sex trafficking. Vermont legislators can take one step closer to eradicating human trafficking in Vermont by passing Senate Bill 272, legislation that provides a comprehensive approach to address human trafficking in Vermont. Please take action today!
Thank Congress for Funding Assistance to Survivors!
(Updated December 14, 2009)
In recent months, we have asked you to contact members of Congress to urge them to support appropriations to fight human trafficking – and they listened! The House and Senate have just passed an omnibus spending bill combining six separate appropriations bills, including the bills that fund the domestic anti-trafficking efforts of the Department of Justice (the Commerce-Justice-Science bill) and the Department of Health and Human Services (the Labor-HHS-Education bill). The omnibus bill contains key funding for human trafficking prosecution and victim protection! Now it simply awaits the President’s signature, which will likely happen in the very near future.
Thank you for taking action! For more information on enacted legislation please check out the Polaris Project Legislative Success page!
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