Shared Hope International Releases New Study on Demand Deterrence, Enforcement, and Justice for Victims

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – Sex trafficking is a crime unlike any other. It is one of the only crimes that allows a perpetrator to criminalize the victim by paying to commit the offense. In 36 states, including Arizona, child victims of sex trafficking can be charged with prostitution. Yet, historically, the criminals who make their victimization profitable—the buyers—walk free. But new research released today by Shared Hope International reveals that Arizona’s progressive efforts to stem demand makes the state an increasingly risky place for buyers.

“We’re seeing great activity and progress, but until buyers are serving serious jail time for their crime, we have a significant gap in our response,” Linda Smith, President and Founder of Shared Hope International said. “We want buyers to be terrified to shop for sex in Arizona and I believe the team in Arizona can make that possible if they remain relentless in their pursuit of that goal.”

The Demanding Justice Arizona Field Assessment documents the state’s attitudes and efforts to deter demand, enforce laws against buyers, and enable victim’s access to justice. Findings show that Arizona has made advancements in the following key areas:

1. Collaboration among law enforcement, prosecutors, service providers, media and community organizations drives a unified, cross-jurisdictional response to channel resources and information effectively.
2. Proactive enforcement sting operations punish offenders and cultivate an environment of increased fear and impending risk for buyers.
3. Financial penalties for buyers were funding victim services. This resourceful approach provides meaningful consequences for offenders—fines—while enabling much-needed services for victims.
4. Training and educational opportunities are widely available, advancing the scope and sophistication of anti-demand efforts.

While the state has seen great success, stakeholders expressed a desire to shift more serious attention to male sex trafficking survivors, establish a stigma of zero tolerance for the crime, and increase buyer accountability through meaningful sentences and penalties. Study participants reported that a lack of jury appeal was often attributed to the high prevalence of buyer cases that concluded in plea deals, which can result in less severe sentences. Today, Arizona leaders are convening at the Next Steps Summit to discuss these findings and build a strategy to end demand for child sex trafficking victims. Local professionals will have the opportunity to work collectively to address these key issues. Shared Hope also released Buyers Beware: Mobilizing to End Demand, a new video to inspire law enforcement and prosecutor prioritization of buyer cases.

This research is an initiative of the Demanding Justice Project, a research and advocacy initiative designed to promote demand deterrence through increased attention and advocacy on demand related issues. The Demanding Justice Report explores national trends in the enforcement of anti-demand laws and www.demandingjustice.org documents convicted buyers in each state.

Media Contact
Taryn Offenbacher
Communications Director, Shared Hope International
602-818-3955 cell
taryn@sharedhope.org

ABOUT SHARED HOPE INTERNATIONAL: Shared Hope International leads a worldwide effort to prevent, restore, and bring justice women and children exploited through sex trafficking. For more information about Shared Hope International, visit www.sharedhope.org.

Arlington, VA—Today, in a landmark legislative victory, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Senate package of S. 178, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. The bill will be sent to President Obama to be signed into law.

Shared Hope International has actively supported the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act since initially introduced in 2013. The JVTA is a comprehensive piece of legislation that will provide much needed funding for law enforcement and survivors, increase accountability for buyers by clarifying trafficking offenses to include their conduct and heighten penalties, and expand law enforcement investigation tools.

Shared Hope International applauds Senate leadership, particularly Senators John Cornyn, Patty Murray and Harry Reid, for reaching a bi-partisan deal last month after the bill threatened to stall and the original bill sponsors, Representatives Ted Poe and Carolyn Maloney.

“This long-awaited bill promises to revolutionize America’s response to trafficking. It set a national precedent by establishing a standard of justice that clearly addresses the sophistication of the crime and sets forth provisions victims need and  deserve.  I commend Congress on their unwavering commitment to bring justice to victims of trafficking,” Said Congresswoman Linda Smith, President and Founder Shared Hope International (U.S. Congress 1995-99).

MEDIA CONTACT

Taryn Offenbacher
Communications Director
703.351.8062 office / 602.818.3955 cell
Taryn@sharedhope.org
SHARED HOPE POLICY INITIATIVES

The Protected Innocence Challenge is a comprehensive study of state laws. Under the Challenge, every state receives a Report Card that grades the state on 41 key legislative components that must be addressed in a state’s laws in order to effectively respond to the crime of domestic minor sex trafficking. In addition, each state receives a complete analysis of this 41-component review and practical recommendations for improvement.

ABOUT SHARED HOPE INTERNATIONAL: Shared Hope International exists to prevent, restore, and bring justice women and children in crisis. Founded in 1998, by former U.S. Congresswoman Linda Smith, we are leaders in a worldwide effort to eradicate sex trafficking and slavery.  www.sharedhope.org.