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January 11th is International Human Trafficking Awareness Day

Posted on January 11, 2023

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I just wanted you to know that today is INTERNATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS DAY.

Human trafficking is abhorrent in any form, and strengthening state law to put an end to these abuses is one of my top priorities in the legislature. Two years ago, I was proud to work with my colleagues to help pass House Bill 6657 “An Act Concerning Human Trafficking” that, in addition to other things:

  • Provides human trafficking victims the ability to have certain convictions vacated if the crime was committed as a result of being a victim of human trafficking;
  • Broadens the crimes of “sex trafficking,” “patronizing a prostitute,” and “commercial sexual abuse of a minor” to include taking these actions in exchange for anything of value, instead of only for money;
  • Mandates a study of how online traffickers use the internet to groom minors to be trafficked and exploited, making recommendations to the Judiciary Committee on how to combat online grooming;
  • Extends the Department of Children and Families (DCF) training in human trafficking awareness requirement to EMS personnel

The billed passed the House unanimously, and was signed into law by the governor as Public Act 21-103.

However, there is still more work to be done. As Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee, I have seen first-hand the commitment the chairs and committee members have toward crafting strong legislation that punishes the perpetrators of such heinous crimes while providing resources to victims.

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