Learn about Trafficking Issues in America Pt. 2

December 2, 2011

In our previous article entitled “Learn About Trafficking Issues in America” we highlighted how victims of DMST (Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking) have complex issues requiring highly skilled care. We highlighted the most critical gap for victims which is, simply stated, a National Shelter/ Treatment Crisis for victims of Domestic Minor Sex-Trafficking in the U.S.  One important factor contributing to the lack of victim services is antiquated and/or missing state laws dealing with criminal activity known as Human Trafficking. Shared Hope International, an international anti-trafficking organization, released research on these state laws that are preventing effective prosecution of Traffickers and services to victims. Shared Hope entitled their research the Protected Innocence Initiative.

Texas is Closing It's Doors to Traffickers

July 6, 2011

At a time when our country is facing budget crunches and other economic shortfalls, Texas legislators are working to prevent and end the heinous crime of human trafficking from taking place in our state.

A 47 member task force was initiated in Texas to work on legislative recommendations for anti-human trafficking laws. Though the budget is tight across the state, changes to the law are being made that do not have an associated cost. Legislators[...]

Texas legislation takes a stand against Human Trafficking

May 25, 2011


Austin, TX - Gov. Rick Perry signed two bills that will create stiffer penalties to those who commit human trafficking in Texas. House Bill 3000 and Senate Bill 24 were signed on May 25, 2011. Gov. Perry was joined by Rep. Senfronia Thompson, Sen. Leticia Van de Putte and Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott for the signing ceremony.

"HB 3000 creates a new first-degree felony in the Penal Code called Continuous Trafficking of Persons, which applies to individuals who commit two or more acts of human trafficking in a period of 30 days or more." The House Bill creates stricter monetary penalties and sentences for traffickers.

Progress in Texas for minor trafficking victims

May 6, 2011

Austin, TX - Texas is making progress in it's fight against human trafficking, in particular child sex trafficking. Texas House passed a bill last week stating that "Children under the age of 14 who are forced into prostitution by an adult will not be subject to prosecution."

4/27/11 Declared "Human Trafficking Advocacy Day" at the Capitol

April 27, 2011 Austin, TX - Sen. Leticia van De Putte declared yesterday, April 27, 2011, Human Trafficking Advocacy Day at the capitol as individuals and organizations from across Texas gathered on the south steps of the capitol to rally against human trafficking.

In addition to hearing from Sen. Van De Putte, a political leader in advocating against trafficking, Attorney General Greg Abbott also spoke on the issue. We also had the opportunity to hear from the President and CEO of Children at Risk, Dr. Robert Sanborn, on the issue.














Attorney General Greg Abbott and Sen. Leticia Van De Putte

Speakers emphasized that trafficking is a $32 billion dollar industry, permeating every state in our country.

The host of the rally was CHILDREN AT RISK - "a nonprofit organization that drives change for children through research, education and influencing public policy."

Another step towards putting a complete end to slavery, in our state and across the world. As many of the speakers said on the steps of the capitol, "Texas is no longer open for business."

Freedom Youth Foundation at HT Advocacy Day -
President & CEO, Saul Castellanos, Vickie Ernst of our Advisory Board and Nilda Castellanos of our Board of Directors.

Texas House Passes Human Trafficking Bill

April 7, 2011

Austin, TX - The Texas House passed a bill for people who are convicted of trafficking.
The bill makes it a felony to force children into prostitution, extends the statute of limitations for trafficking crimes and requires anyone convicted of sex trafficking to register as a sex offender.
Legislations also created life sentences for repeat offenders and better treatment for victims. The bill has widespread support across the state; Gov. Rick Perry indicated he will sign it.
Read the Original Article Here

Trafficking Protection Act funds care for foreign victims and Not American victims

Need Highlighted for Federal Funding for Treatment of American Victims of Child Sex-Trafficking

Washington D.C.: The Trafficking Victims Protection Act provides important funding to help care for foreign victims of sex trafficking. But anti-trafficking advocates say no money has been used to help American girls.  "Not one cent of that money has been put towards domestic victims," said Malika Saada Saar of the Rebecca Project, a Washington-based human rights organization. "There has not been the political will to include domestic trafficking victims."

Americans care about injustice and child abuse. Because few people are aware of this horror, little has been done. But that is slowly changing. Incredible organizations are emerging to catapult awareness and aid victims. Among them, Streetlight in Phoenix, Salvation Army, Faith. Alliance against Slavery and Trafficking, and the Polaris Project.

The Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act, passed both houses of Congress last year and would have provided $45 million over four years. Sadly, the bill never made it to the president's desk, and now that there's a new Congress, it will have to start from scratch.

Read More Here

CT: Proposed Legislation Child Sex-Trafficking Vicitms Afforded Protection Instead of Prosecution

Connecticut: Prior to Connecticut's Safe Harbor Law last year, "Connecticut law allowed children of any age to be prosecuted for prostitution," says a new report from Connecticut Voices for Children.


Now with the Safe Harbor Law children under the age of 18, who are sexually abused, are entitled to protection under Connecticut's child welfare system, the report says.  The report adds that in most cases, law enforcement agencies treat children who are prostituted as victims and don't try to prosecute them.  Over the past two years, the department has become aware of over 65 cases of youth involved in domestic minor sex trafficking activity.

Read Story at The CT Mirror

Georgia Legislation Passes Tougher Sentencing for Traffickers

U.S. states have been drafting legislation to deal with the growing issue of Human Trafficking and Child Sex-Trafficking. Laws are being updated to create tougher sentences on traffickers and the people who pay for sex. In March of 2011, the Georgia House of Representatives passed some of the most progressive legislation in the country on girls and prostitution. The new rules impose higher fines and longer sentences, with a 25-year minimum prison sentence for those found to have coerced someone under 18. Buying sex with a 16- year-old would bring a sentence of at least 5 years.

Read Original Story Here, Bloomberg News

DMST Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2011

via KTVZ.COM
Washington D.C. - Federal Legislation:  The Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2011 is a pilot program that will create six shelters throughout the country providing a safe haven for minors who are being trafficked and sold into sexual slavery. The bill also gives law enforcement the tools to investigate, prosecute and incarcerate the real criminals -- the pimps and traffickers.

The Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking and Victims Support Act authorizes block grants of $2-2.5 million per year to six locations deemed to have significant sex trafficking activity and have a workable plan to provide comprehensive services to sex trafficking victims – including the establishment of a shelter facility -- and demonstrated participation from all levels of law enforcement, prosecutors and social service providers.

Click here for Original Story

Texas: State Sanators File Legislation to Strengthen Human Trafficking Laws

Texas State Senator Leticia Van De Putte and Representative Senfronia Thompson press releases highlight their recent work submitted to legislation.

Their work incorporated many of the recommendations from the Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force report issued by the Attorney General. The hope behind this bill is that it will create new avenues to identify and act upon trafficking cases in an effective manner.

Some of the legislative recommendations that are incorporated in this legislation are to:

• Enhance the human trafficking statute by clarifying the definitions of sex and labor trafficking
• Extend the criminal statute of limitations for human trafficking crimes
• Require an offender who is convicted of sex trafficking to register as a sex offender
• Add human trafficking offenses and compelling prostitution as a 3g offense within the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure
• Increase the penalty for compelling prostitution of a child to a felony of the first degree

Saul Castellanos, President of the Freedom Youth Project, will be attending the bill signing as an official witness on Tuesday, March 15.


Read original press releases:

Press Release from Sen. Leticia Van De Putte
Press Release from Rep. Senfronia Thompson

Texas Report Card of Trafficking from Shared Hope International

Texas was given a grade "C" in terms of combating minor trafficking in our state by Shared Hope International, an organization receiving federal grants to research state wide efforts on trafficking.

Lawmakers in Austin announced a bill earlier this year, with suggested legislative changes in accordance to human trafficking. A San Antonio Express News article mentioned that over 200 stakeholders in the community contributed information on what legislative changes need to be made.

Sen. Leticia Van De Putte-D, mentioned that progress has been made on this issue in our state, though much more need to be done.

“The most important thing for us is to treat our children who are caught in this web of sex trafficking as victims instead of criminals,” Van de Putte said. “And right now we treat them as criminals.”