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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

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

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

November 11, 2015 by SHI Staff

NEW STUDY FINDS NORTH DAKOTA, MONTANA RESPOND TO POPULATION SURGE BY TIGHTENING SEX TRAFFICKING LAWS; CALIFORNIA LAGS BEHIND

Why Some State’s Stricter Laws Are Creating a Threat of Trafficking for Others

WASHINGTON, D.C., As large events and expanding industries draw thousands of new visitors, a new study by Shared Hope International finds states like North Dakota and Montana enacted aggressive laws to confront the heightened threat of child sex trafficking while states like California continue to suffer critical gaps in state laws to address the crime.

In North Dakota, the booming oil industry drew over 100,000 new employees, primarily men, away from home, for high-paying jobs. This surge of men with disposable incomes in an area that is disproportionately male-dominate threatened to fuel an emerging commercial sex industry. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, violent crime, including murder, aggravated assault, forcible rape, and robbery, increased by 125% between 2005 and 2013 in the area. In 2011, Shared Hope International gave North Dakota an “F” grade on the Protected Innocence Challenge report cards for the sufficiency of state laws to combat child sex trafficking–leaving the state vulnerable to a wave of potential buyers with limited ability to deter the crime and protect victims. However, in 2015, North Dakota bolstered its protective provisions for child sex trafficking victims. This year, North Dakota earned a “B” on the Protected Innocence Challenge report card.

Montana, also vulnerable to the threat of increased trafficking due to its proximity to the Bakken region, overhauled its laws in 2015 to address the issue. Montana earned a mere 60 per cent on the 2014 Protected Innocence Challenge report card. After the sweeping legislative advancements in 2015, Montana climbed to a 90 per cent, and is now one of only six states in the nation to earn an “A” grade.

In contrast, California has consistently fallen in last place in the Protected Innocence Challenge–climbing from 41 per cent to 65 per cent between 2011 and 2015. The state struggles to overcome a difficult fiscal environment and a federal mandate banning an increase in criminal statutes. This limits the state’s ability to enact tougher laws that would impose increased penalties or felony convictions, actions that could cause fiscal triggers. In response, activists have developed work-around solutions, reprogramming state efforts to target system responses. However, as California prepares to host the 2016 Super Bowl, the state has not improved its laws to handle an increase in trafficking crimes, especially demand. Increasing the population of men who could be commercial sex consumers, compounded by weak state laws to deter the crime could entice traffickers to the region to meet the demand for this illicit business.

“As states strengthen laws, enabling more aggressive investigation and prosecution; traffickers may be searching for states with lower risk and greater tolerance. We cannot afford to leave our children vulnerable to traffickers because the state hasn’t caught up to the crime.” 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

November 4, 2015 by SHI Staff

Announcing 2015 Pathbreaker Award Winners

This year Shared Hope International is proud to honor the men and women who stand bravely against the commercial sex industry. The 2015 Pathbreaker Award recipients have developed innovative strategies to combat demand, expose trafficking and seek justice. These Pathbreakers join those of prior years who have led the fight against sex trafficking.

John Cotton Richmond

jcr500 As a federal prosecutor serving as the Special Litigation Counsel with the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, Richmond has investigated and prosecuted numerous victim-centered labor and sex trafficking cases throughout the United States. He frequently serves as an expert on human trafficking for the United Nation’s Working Group on Trafficking in Persons and at the European Union’s multilateral meetings on human trafficking. He has trained judges, prosecutors, federal agents, law enforcement officers, non-governmental organizations, and international delegations on human trafficking investigative and prosecutorial strategies. Prior to joining the Department of Justice, John worked on human trafficking crimes as the Director of the International Justice Mission’s slavery work in India.

Alexandra (Sandi) Pierce

sandi500 Sandi Pierce, Founder and President of Othayonih Research, is a leader in exposing, addressing, and preventing domestic sex trafficking of American Indian, Alaska Native, and other girls of color. Her report, Shattered Hearts: The commercial sexual exploitation of American Indian women and girls in Minnesota was the first research published in the United States on the impact of this issue on Native communities. As a nationally recognized doctor of applied sociology, she contributes new research on emerging issues including the commercial sexual exploitation of Native women and girls (Shattered Hearts; New Language: Old Problem) and trafficking markets (Mapping the Market). Dr. Pierce draws on her experience as a survivor of sex trafficking to elevate the voice of survivor leaders in the national discussion on sex trafficking. She is of Onondowagah (Seneca) descent.

Cook County Sheriff Thomas Dart

dart500 Sheriff Tom Dart launched revolutionary efforts to tackle the child sex trafficking industry through a campaign of advocacy and education illustrating the use of the online classified giant, Backpage.com, to promote this industry. In July 2015, Sheriff Dart asked credit card companies, Visa and MasterCard, to join him in his fight against child sex trafficking by removing their cards as payment options on Backpage.com. Within days, both credit cards were no longer available for use on Backpage.com. Though efforts to pressure Backpage.com to shut down the adult entertainment section have continued for years, Sheriff Dart’s fresh approach of educating the credit card companies and their resulting withdrawal impacted the child sex trafficking market and Backpage.com’s bottom line – stirring them to respond.