Latest News - Page 54 of 120 - Shared Hope International

November 11, 2015 by SHI Staff

Texas, Montana, Minnesota Join Ranks Strongest States in Nation for Child Sex Trafficking Laws

Shared Hope International Releases State Report Cards to Reveal State of Trafficking Laws in U.S.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Legislative advancements in 2015 scored Texas, Montana and Minnesota top spots in the nation for strongest laws to combat child sex trafficking, according to a new study by Shared Hope International. These states join Louisiana, Tennessee and Washington, the first three states in the nation to earn an “A” on the annual Protected Innocence Challenge report card grading the sufficiency of state laws to address child sex trafficking.

Five years of sweeping legislative advancements allowed 47 states to raise their grade since 2011. In 2015, a record-setting 933 bills related to domestic minor sex trafficking were introduced in 50 states and D.C., resulting in the improvement of 14 state grades. Louisiana ranked top in the nation for the second year in a row, earning a 99.5 per cent. Michigan claimed most improved state. View the state grades.

Montana tackled major legislative gaps in 2015, raising its grade from a “D” to an “A” – one of the most significant improvements in the 2015 session. Montana, like other states in the Bakken region, has expedited a crackdown on child sex trafficking due, in part, to the increased threat of trafficking from the surge of transient workers drawn to the booming oil industry.

“Thanks to the dedicated efforts of advocates and legislators in Texas, Montana, and Minnesota, these states are leaders in the battle against trafficking. They are sending an undeniable message that our children are not for sale,” Linda Smith, President and Founder of Shared Hope International said.

The Protected Innocence Challenge was created to address key legislative gaps and makes recommendations for improvement so states can strengthen laws and implement effective state response. See all state grades at www.sharedhope.org/reportcards.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Taryn Offenbacher
Communications Director
703.351.8062 office / 602.818.3955 cell
Taryn@sharedhope.org

MEDIA MATERIALS

For media convenience, a variety of video clips and resources, including sex trafficking survivor comments, are available at this location: https://vimeo.com/user12564384/videos. Videos are password protected, please enter password sharedmedia1 to access media clips.

Shared Hope International is an anti-trafficking organization focusing on prevention, restoration and justice for victims of sex trafficking. Founded in 1998 by Congresswoman Linda Smith, Shared Hope is a trusted leader for training, research, restorative development, and legislative development.

November 11, 2015 by SHI Staff

MICHIGAN NAMED MOST IMPROVED IN NEW STUDY ON CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING LAWS

Shared Hope International Releases State Report Cards to Reveal State of Trafficking Laws in U.S.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Michigan was named the most improved state for its laws addressing child sex trafficking, according to a new study released by Shared Hope International. The Protected Innocence Challenge, a report on the state of child sex trafficking laws in the U.S., found that five years of sweeping legislative advancements allowed 47 states to raise their grade since 2011.

Michigan raised its grade from an “F” in 2014 to a “B” in 2015 after enacting new laws strengthening criminal provisions addressing buyers – the driving force of the commercial sex industry. While Michigan made substantial law changes in five years, the state has more work to do. Earning strong scores in most categories of the assessment, Michigan must strengthen protective provisions for child victims. Juvenile sex trafficking victims have access to specialized services through child welfare; however, 16 and 17-year-old victims remain subject to arrest and potential criminalization for prostitution offenses. Leaving the older minors subject to criminalization ignores the reality that these kids are vulnerable and frequently targeted by traffickers.

“Michigan tackled the driving force of child sex trafficking in 2015. They should be proud of the work they accomplished to combat demand and now press forward to ensure no child victim is banned access to the justice they deserve due to gaps in the law.” Linda Smith, President and Founder of Shared Hope International said.

In 2015, a record-setting 933 bills related to domestic minor sex trafficking were introduced in 50 states and D.C., resulting in the improvement of 14 state grades. Louisiana ranked top in the nation for the second year in a row, earning a 99.5 per cent. View the state grades.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Taryn Offenbacher
Communications Director
703.351.8062 office / 602.818.3955 cell
Taryn@sharedhope.org

MEDIA MATERIALS

November 11, 2015 by SHI Staff

NEW STUDY REVEALS MAJOR IMPROVEMENT IN OREGON LAWS TO FIGHT SEX TRAFFICKING

A New Study by Shared Hope International Shows Oregon’s Efforts May be Paying Off

WASHINGTON, D.C., Portland is believed to have the highest rate of strip clubs per capita and has been dubbed “Pornland,” but a new study by Shared Hope International shows Oregon’s effort to crack down on trafficking may be paying off. According to the Protected Innocence Challenge, a report on the sufficiency of state laws relating to domestic minor sex trafficking in the U.S., Oregon earned a “B” in 2015, with continuing efforts to strengthen state laws.

In 2015, Oregon legislators considered a new bill that would apply a commonly held courtroom protection for rape victims to victims of human trafficking. House Bill 3040 was an innovative approach to create a hearsay exception for human trafficking victims. The bill promoted the use of reliable evidence, including text messages, emails and other writings or statements from victims, at human trafficking trials while mitigating the risk of victim retraumatization. Despite significant local support, the bill did not pass the Senate Judiciary Committee. Committee Chair Senator Prozanski committed at a public hearing to establish a work group that will further consider hearsay exceptions for sex trafficking cases.

“While Oregon has made commendable strides forward, forcing victims to face their traffickers from the witness stand only continues that terror. A victim should never have to choose between justice and restoration.” Linda Smith, President and Founder of Shared Hope International said.

Historically, Oregon’s efforts to strengthen anti-trafficking laws paled in comparison to neighboring Washington. Washington created the first state Task Force Against Trafficking of Persons, enacted one of the first state trafficking laws, and in 2007 overhauled its laws criminalizing commercial sexual exploitation of children. As Washington strengthened its laws, enabling more aggressive investigation and prosecution, Oregon’s weak laws put it at risk of attracting Washington’s trafficking market. In 2013, the Oregon Legislature passed a new law that elevated the crime of purchasing sex with a minor to a felony. Since then, the Portland Police Bureau has conducted proactive sting operations to identify buyers seeking to purchase sex with a minor and to hold buyers accountable through felony prosecutions.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Taryn Offenbacher
Communications Director
703.351.8062 office / 602.818.3955 cell
Taryn@sharedhope.org

ABOUT THE PROTECTED INNOCENCE CHALLENGE: The Protected Innocence Challenge is a 41-component, comprehensive analysis of each state’s existing laws on domestic minor sex trafficking.
MEDIA MATERIALS

November 11, 2015 by SHI Staff

Virginia’s New Law Leaves Hawaii Only State in Nation Without Sex Trafficking Law

A New Study by Shared Hope International Finds Critical Gaps in State Laws

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hawaii and Virginia were the last two states in the nation without a law specifically criminalizing sex trafficking; however, 2015 legislative gains in Virginia left Hawaii behind. According to a new study by Shared Hope International, Hawaii and Virginia both suffer critical gaps in state laws addressing child sex trafficking. Both states earned a mere “D” on the Protected Innocence Challenge state report cards that measure sufficiency of state child sex trafficking laws. While Virginia and Hawaii have significant room for improvement, Virginia’s new sex trafficking law is a major advancement in state response.

In March 2015, after an aggressive advocacy campaign led by the Kids Are Not For Sale in Virginia coalition, Virginia enacted its first sex trafficking law. The bill, championed by Chief Patron Delegate Timothy Hugo (HB 1964) and Chief Patron Senator Mark Obenshain (SB 1188), closed the critical gap in Virginia law. In July, Virginia made its first arrest under the new law.

In 2010 and 2015, Hawaii attempted to pass its first law specifically criminalizing sex trafficking. It failed on both attempts. Last year, Hawaii Governor Ige vetoed SB 265 which could have been Hawaii’s first sex trafficking law. The Governor cited criticisms of the bill by opponents whose own conduct has been under scrutiny for harmful treatment of possible sex trafficking victims. Hawaii is expected to revisit the issue in 2016.

“While both states have significant room for improvement in state laws to protect children from trafficking,” Linda Smith, President and Founder of Shared Hope International said. “Virginia took a major leap forward, leaving Hawaii in the national hot seat as the only state in the nation without a sex trafficking law.”

Shared Hope International launched the Protected Innocence Challenge, an annual evaluation of the sufficiency of state laws that impact child sex trafficking, in 2011 to provide accountability and legislative direction for states. Previously, many states relied on federal statutes to address the crime; yet, many trafficking crimes were not accepted for federal prosecution, forcing states to handle the cases locally and relying on weak or insufficient laws. Over half the nation earned failing scores on the inaugural 2011 report card. Since then, 47 states have raised their grade.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Taryn Offenbacher
Shared Hope International
602-818-3955
Taryn@sharedhope.org

MEDIA MATERIALS

November 11, 2015 by SHI Staff

NEW STUDY ON CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING LAWS IN THE U.S. SHOWS GROWING DIVIDE AMONG STATES

Shared Hope International Research Reveals Strongest and Weakest States in the Nation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C., A new study released by Shared Hope International finds a growing divide between states that aggressively address child sex trafficking through state laws and those with inadequate protections.

The Protected Innocence Challenge, a report on the state of child sex trafficking laws in the U.S., found that five years of sweeping legislative advancements allowed 47 states to raise their grade since 2011. In 2015, a record-setting 933 bills related to domestic minor sex trafficking were introduced in 50 states and D.C., resulting in the improvement of 14 state grades. Louisiana ranked top in the nation for the second year in a row, earning a 99.5 per cent. Michigan claims most improved state in 2015. View the state grades.

As states like Texas, Tennessee, Washington, Louisiana, Montana and Minnesota crack down on trafficking, earning top scores, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire and South Dakota tie for last place – making these states more vulnerable to attracting this illicit business.

Shifting dynamics have states scrambling to tighten laws. North Dakota and Montana, states highly affected by the booming oil industry, significantly strengthened state laws over the past year to respond to the surge of transient workers flooding the area, increasing demand for commercial sex. In contrast, California faces the impending wave of visitors for Super Bowl 2016 and has not improved its laws to handle an increase in trafficking crimes, especially demand.

“In 2011, over half the nation earned a failing grade for its state laws addressing child sex trafficking,” Shared Hope International President Linda Smith said. “Five years later, we’ve made significant strides forward. Not a single state has a failing grade. Increased awareness, coupled with legislative will, is the reason.”

Shared Hope International is an international anti-trafficking organization focusing on prevention, restoration and justice for victims of sex trafficking. Access media resources.

Taryn Offenbacher
Shared Hope International
602-818-3955
Taryn@sharedhope.org