Justice Programs Archives - Page 17 of 20 - Shared Hope International

March 3, 2011 by Guest

Everythang’s Bigger’n Texas, Except Their Grade!

This week, Shared Hope International traveled to the Lone Star State to release the third of 51 Protected Innocence Report Cards. In partnership with Children at Risk, Shared Hope International presented the Texas Report Card to trafficking survivors, former pimps, former NFL players, and congressional members in Dallas on Saturday at a community rally sponsored by Traffick 911. In addition, Shared Hope presented the Texas Protected Innocence Report Card at events in San Antonio, Houston and Austin alongside fellow advocates for change including Senator Leticia Van de Putt, Rep. Senfronia Thompson, Attorney General Greg Abbott, Chris Burchell (Texas Anti-Trafficking In Persons) and many others.

Texas scored a “C,” indicating that Texas state law contains some provisions against domestic minor sex trafficking, but leaves generous room for improvement. One of the key findings of the Report Card was that current state law requires proof of force to prove the crime of trafficking-even for children. This is a direct contradiction to the federal Trafficking Victim’s Protection Act, which recognizes any child exploited through commercial sex as a victim of trafficking.

While there is a sizable legislative gap in Texas that threatens to entrap domestic minor sex trafficking victims, Shared Hope International offers solutions. One of the key recommendations is that Texas enact a stand alone sex trafficking of a child statute, which eliminates the requirement to prove force, includes the crime of buying sex with a minor, and ensures identification of a minor victim as a trafficking victim.

Shared Hope International offers this, and many other recommendations, in a complete Analysis and Recommendation document to expose legislative gaps and provide legislators with the tools they need to ensure the protection of victims and the punishment of criminals.

Legislative changes are necessary to help combat the exploitation of Texas’ children. According to a 2009 report by the Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force, “11,942 juveniles were arrested for running away in Texas. An additional 66 were arrested for prostitution and commercialized vice.” Recently, Traffick911 pushed its “I’m not buying it”campaign to help raise awareness about child sex trafficking surrounding Super Bowl XLV. Arlington police made an astounding 59 prostitution related arrests leading up to the game.

Due to the prevalence of human trafficking in Texas, lawmakers have introduced several new bills aimed at increasing penalties for traffickers and providing protection for minors: HB1121,1122, and SB 98 are just a few. This push toward change is mirrored by Attorney General Greg Abbott, who gave a keynote address in San Antonio calling for more collaboration between law enforcement officials to “ensure [Texas] is both hostile territory for human traffickers and a safe haven for their victims.”

All of these efforts are a step in the right direction toward combating domestic minor sex trafficking. Now it’s up to you. If you live in Texas, alert your representative to this critical issue and make your voice count!

February 24, 2011 by webdesigner

Sen. Reid Stirs Up More than a Little Dust

On Tuesday, February 22, legal prostitution looked death in the face. On that day, Harry Reid, US senator of Nevada, spoke to Nevada state legislature about education, clean energy, term limits, and outlawing prostitution. Although this final subject only amounted to about 6.5% of hisentire speech, it exploded into news coverage, chit-chat, the blogosphere, and heated debate across the country. While Sen. Reid was concerned that this portion of his speech elicited so much attention, he deserves public support for the strong stance he took, stating that “the time has come for us to outlaw prostitution.”

Why would Sen. Reid risk saying such a bold statement? He insisted it was because he wanted to “prove that we’re [Nevada is] a 21st-century state” revealing that he believes legal prostitution mars the reputation of Nevada. He followed with an anecdote about meeting a company who chooses not to move to Nevada over this very concern. Sen. Reid reasoned, “Nevada needs to be known as the first place for innovation and investment – not as the last place where prostitution is still legal.”

Sen. Harry Reid is correct. Legal prostitution does give Nevada a bad name, but that is not the only effect this industry has had on its state. According to Shared Hope International’sresearch, Las Vegas, only 60 miles from a legal brothel establishment, is a major destination for trafficked children in the United States. But how do we know that legal prostitution actually encourages illegal human trafficking? The truth is that Las Vegas has become America’s capitol for prostitution and trafficking. This is supported by the fact that while brothels do not set up shop in the city, they and other escort services pay hefty fees to advertise in Las Vegas, creating a culture that accepts and supports the sex trade, and ultimately paves the way for illegal activity. Vegas residents and tourists are exposed to legal prostitution through advertisements and encouraged to participate in the industry. As a result, demand for commercial sex increases in high population areas. Where there is demand, there is supply.

In response to Sen. Harry Reid’s comments on outlawing prostitution, many brothel owners have either reacted in anger—like Dennis Hof who was interviewed by CNN—or dismissed the position entirely in hopes that Reid’s words will not inspire Nevada residents and legislators to institute a ban on prostitution. Lance Gilman, owner of the Wild Horse and Mustang Ranch brothels in Storey County said, “It is one thing for Harry Reid to say we ought to outlaw brothels. It is quite another for our Legislature to decide to take up a bill. If that happens then it is a whole different scenario.” Lance Gilman bluffs that he feels no threat.

Mr. Gilman created the opportunity for us to prove him wrong. And now we hold the power to perpetuate change and make a difference. Reid took the first step in sparking discussion, and we the people can unite taking the next step by creating legislation that outlaws prostitution in America for good. Spread the news to those in Nevada. Tell them to pick up their pens and write their legislators about the issue at hand. If lawmakers are ever going to make change, they’ll do it by the sheer will and determination of their constituents.

January 14, 2011 by SHI Staff

Oregon Receives Dangerously Low Grade for Child Sex Trafficking Laws

Portland, Oregon, often referred to as “Pornland”, has earned a reputation for having the largest legal sex industry per capita in the nation, even compared to Las Vegas. One Portland directory lists 40 erotic dance clubs, 47 all-nude strip clubs, 35 adult businesses and 21 lingerie modeling shops and most of these businesses are stacked conveniently on 82^nd Avenue. Numerous child victims have revealed they were groomed by their pimps and ultimately advertised for purchase through these legal sex markets. In 2009, the Sexual Assault Resource Center served at least 75 victims of trafficking. Is Portland one of the most dangerous cities for children in America?

Despite the mounting negative press, the leadership of Portland is confronting this issue head on. Mayor Sam Adams recently stated

“Human trafficking, and especially juvenile human trafficking, goes against everything this city believes in and stands for, and we must do much more to combat the causes and symptoms of this problem.”

And it’s not all talk. City Commissioner Dan Saltzman, recently sponsored a resolution that was approved by the council to dedicate assets seized from pimps and their customers to shelter and services for victims. In a downtrodden economic environment, it’s a brilliant and fitting idea to make pimps and buyers foot the bill for the victims they create.

However, according to the Protected Innocence Oregon Report Card, which landed Oregon a “D”, there is clearly more work to be done. The Protected Innocence Legislative Framework outlines six areas of law critical to protecting and responding to child sex trafficking. The Report Card identified several areas of Oregon law that should be applauded for its strength such as the strong investigative tools provided to law enforcement to combat the crime of trafficking. This lightens the responsibility of the child victim as the primary witness in a case. Additionally, Oregon’s broad child abuse and neglect statues allows for a child protection response rather than a delinquency response. The Report Card provides legislators, community advocates, students, and professionals with a road map of the changes necessary to ensure protection for the victims and punishment for the criminals who exploit them.

The Oregon Report Card outlines four critical legislative changes needed:

– Amend the state human trafficking law to align with the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act by eliminating the requirement of force in cases of child sex trafficking.

– Amend the sex offender registry law to require convicted traffickers and buyers of child sex trafficking victims to register as sex offenders.

– Make buying or attempting to buy sex with a minor a separate crime from solicitation of an adult for prostitution and reference the trafficking in persons statute as the applicable crime and penalty. Currently, the law on solicitation of prostitution does not differentiate adults from a minor and is a misdemeanor – regardless of age.

– Amend “rape shield” law to include the victim-witnesses of compelled prostitution or sex trafficking so they are not left unprotected from a re-traumatizing examination when they testify. As in other sexual offense cases, evidence of a victim’s past sexual behavior should not be admissible.

These are changes that legislators can make right now. Let’s lend our voice to advocate for those who have been silenced through sexual slavery. Getting a “D” on the protection of children from traffickers is not acceptable! Legislators are stepping up to the plate, let’s encourage them to follow through on their commitment to make Oregon a safe place for children. Those stuck in sexual slavery are counting on you to make a difference!

January 12, 2011 by SHI Staff

Washington Scores a “C” Despite 2010 Strides

Today, Washington State Attorney General McKenna joined Shared Hope International to release the first Protected Innocence Report Card – Washington. The Report Card is based on the Protected Innocence Legislative Frameworkand sets a national standard of protection against domestic minor sex trafficking.

Washington State is blazing a path to protect their children from child sex trafficking. First, bi-partisan leadership from across the state came together to amend the Promoting Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor law, which significantly increased penalties for traffickers and buyers of children. Additionally, YouthCare opened the state’s first shelter specifically funded and programmatically designed as a safe haven for child victims of sex trafficking. However, despite these great strides, Washington received a “C”, indicating that it still has significant legislative gaps to close in an effort to create safe environments for Washington’s children.

The embracing of the Report Card by Attorney General McKenna, in spite of the mediocre grade, shows his commitment to advancing Washington’s efforts in strengthening laws that would protect children from traffickers. In December at the National Association of Attorney’s General, Attorney General McKenna challenged his colleagues to take Protected Innocence Initiative back to their states and to make combating child sex trafficking a top priority in 2011.

The Washington Report Card outlines four critical legislative changes needed:

– Amend the state human trafficking law to align with the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act by eliminate the requirement of force, fraud or coercion in cases of child sex trafficking.

– Amend the patronizing a prostitute law to distinguish the solicitation of a minor with reference to commercial sexual abuse of a minor and/or human trafficking law as the applicable crime and penalty. Currently, the law on solicitation/patronizing a prostitute does not differentiate adults from a minor and is a misdemeanor – regardless of age.

– The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) should amend their definition of caregiver to include a “person in control and possession of a sexually exploited child” to bring a child victim of trafficking within the protection of DSHS.

– Amend laws to increase investigative tools for law enforcement by allowing for audio-taping conversations with persons involved in sex trafficking without need for a court order.

Linda Smith commended the work done in 2010, which she recognizes for raising Washington’s grade to the resulting “C”. However, Smith challenges: “We must ask ourselves, is a barely passing grade good enough for our children?” If barely passing isn’t good enough for you, take action by asking several key leaders to uphold their commitment to Washington’s children by strengthening the laws this legislative session!

January 11, 2011 by SHI Staff

Shared Hope Launches Protected Innocence Initiative Starting in Washington State

Child sex trafficking is happening in every community, city and state in America. Yes, even your city. Unfortunately, this crime is too often under-reported and under-identified – effectively silencing victims and empowering buyers to continue the cycle of exploitation. Training and awareness are vital in identifying victims of trafficking. Response, however, leans heavily on the strength (or weakness) of the laws used to protect victims and prosecute traffickers and buyers.

Tomorrow, on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, we are launching the Protected Innocence Initiative. Under this initiative, we will release fifty-one individual Report Cards in Spring/Summer 2011 to measure the level of protection afforded by state laws regarding sex trafficking of children. The Report Cards are based on the Protected Innocence Legislative Framework, an analysis of state laws performed by the American Center for Law & Justice and Shared Hope International.

The Protected Innocence Legislative Framework outlines six areas of law critical to protecting children and responding to domestic minor sex trafficking.

Criminalization of domestic minor sex trafficking
Criminal provisions for demand (buyers)
Criminal provisions for traffickers (pimps)
Criminal provisions for facilitators (hotels, transports, websites, etc.)
Protective provisions for the child victims
Criminal justice tools for investigation and prosecutions

The Report Card is premised on the belief that the true measure of a state’s standing is how well it protects its children and provides them with access to justice. By exposing the legislative gaps within each state that fail to provide the cornerstone of strong law to victim advocates, prosecutors and law enforcement, we hope to spark innovative action to increase protection for the victims and punishment for the criminals who exploit them.

Does your state allow children’s bodies to be converted to cash and innocence sold by the hour? Find out when we release the Protected Innocence Report Card for your state. Click here to let your Governor know that the quality of your laws mean the difference between safety and danger for children in your state.

Read more about the Protected Innocence Initiative online at Change.org.