California Ballot Initiative Strengthens Human Trafficking Laws
The initiative receives endorsements from key human trafficking organizations
Fremont, CA, February 22, 2010 --(PR.com)-- California Against Slavery is now gathering signatures for a state ballot initiative to strengthen human trafficking laws. The initiative would deter traffickers with stiffer criminal penalties, aid district attorneys in prosecuting human trafficking offenses, increase protection for human trafficking victims, and mandate human trafficking training for law enforcement officers.
Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery and its victims are subjected to force, fraud, or coercion, for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor. It happens in the United States and worldwide.
"We support and desperately need to see revision in our state law with regard to human trafficking," said Jenny Williamson, founder and president of Courage to Be You, a Sacramento-area organization that rescues and restores victims of child sex trafficking. "Severe fines and extended jail time for the perpetrators of this evil must be enacted if ever this crime is to be deterred. Our courageous law enforcement officers must be equipped and encouraged with mandatory, specific training so that rescuing these vulnerable victims and putting their perpetrators away becomes a priority within our state."
The California Against Slavery initiative is endorsed by many organizations combating human trafficking, including Breaking Chains, Captive Daughters, Courage to be You, International Justice Mission (IJM), Lotus Outreach, MISSEY, Oasis USA, Polaris Project, Shared Hope, and Stop Child Trafficking Now.
"California is a major hub for human trafficking," said Linda Smith, founder and president of Shared Hope International. "We fully endorse the California Against Slavery initiative because we see the strategic importance of having stronger state laws in place in the fight against human trafficking."
Current California law does not reflect the severity of the crime. The proposed changes to state law under the initiative stem from several months of research with experts in the field of human trafficking, including district attorneys, policy-making organizations, and groups that provide direct services to trafficking victims.
A human trafficking offense is currently punishable by a state prison sentence of three to five years for trafficking of an adult or four to eight years for trafficking of a minor. The initiative would increase sentences to six to 16 years for trafficking of an adult and up to 15 years to life for trafficking of a minor. The initiative would further protect minors by allowing district attorneys to prove a charge of sex trafficking of a minor without a showing of force. All human trafficking punishments would also include a fine of up to $500,000.
The initiative would require law enforcement officers to undergo two hours of training on the issue of human trafficking to increase awareness of the issue and to train officers to better recognize its victims.
Trafficking victims would receive more protection in the criminal justice system under the initiative. Evidence of sexual activity stemming from the trafficking offense would not be admissible for use against the victims to prove their criminal liability for that conduct or to attack their credibility or character. Victims also would have more time to file civil lawsuits against traffickers.
"Human trafficking is an egregious crime against the most basic human rights and it is an important issue for our state," said Daphne Phung, executive director of California Against Slavery. "We are bringing this issue to the voters to give Californians an opportunity to speak up against human trafficking. We hope that every voter in California will sign the petition and ask ten friends and family members to do the same."
California Against Slavery aims to collect 600,000 signatures by March 31, 2010, to place the initiative on the November 2010 ballot.
Please visit http://www.CaliforniaAgainstSlavery.org to print and sign the petition, read the full-text of the initiative, or learn more about California Against Slavery.
The California Attorney General's official title for the initiative is: "Expands Types of Criminal Conduct That Constitute Human Trafficking and Increases Criminal Penalties. Initiative Statute."
About California Against Slavery:
California Against Slavery is a non-profit group organized by Californians appalled by the injustice of modern day slavery in our state and around the world.
Our mission is to strengthen California state laws to better reflect the personal and societal impact of human trafficking. Our goal is to pass an initiative on the November 2010 California General Election ballot to strengthen current human trafficking laws and increase victims' rights.
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Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery and its victims are subjected to force, fraud, or coercion, for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor. It happens in the United States and worldwide.
"We support and desperately need to see revision in our state law with regard to human trafficking," said Jenny Williamson, founder and president of Courage to Be You, a Sacramento-area organization that rescues and restores victims of child sex trafficking. "Severe fines and extended jail time for the perpetrators of this evil must be enacted if ever this crime is to be deterred. Our courageous law enforcement officers must be equipped and encouraged with mandatory, specific training so that rescuing these vulnerable victims and putting their perpetrators away becomes a priority within our state."
The California Against Slavery initiative is endorsed by many organizations combating human trafficking, including Breaking Chains, Captive Daughters, Courage to be You, International Justice Mission (IJM), Lotus Outreach, MISSEY, Oasis USA, Polaris Project, Shared Hope, and Stop Child Trafficking Now.
"California is a major hub for human trafficking," said Linda Smith, founder and president of Shared Hope International. "We fully endorse the California Against Slavery initiative because we see the strategic importance of having stronger state laws in place in the fight against human trafficking."
Current California law does not reflect the severity of the crime. The proposed changes to state law under the initiative stem from several months of research with experts in the field of human trafficking, including district attorneys, policy-making organizations, and groups that provide direct services to trafficking victims.
A human trafficking offense is currently punishable by a state prison sentence of three to five years for trafficking of an adult or four to eight years for trafficking of a minor. The initiative would increase sentences to six to 16 years for trafficking of an adult and up to 15 years to life for trafficking of a minor. The initiative would further protect minors by allowing district attorneys to prove a charge of sex trafficking of a minor without a showing of force. All human trafficking punishments would also include a fine of up to $500,000.
The initiative would require law enforcement officers to undergo two hours of training on the issue of human trafficking to increase awareness of the issue and to train officers to better recognize its victims.
Trafficking victims would receive more protection in the criminal justice system under the initiative. Evidence of sexual activity stemming from the trafficking offense would not be admissible for use against the victims to prove their criminal liability for that conduct or to attack their credibility or character. Victims also would have more time to file civil lawsuits against traffickers.
"Human trafficking is an egregious crime against the most basic human rights and it is an important issue for our state," said Daphne Phung, executive director of California Against Slavery. "We are bringing this issue to the voters to give Californians an opportunity to speak up against human trafficking. We hope that every voter in California will sign the petition and ask ten friends and family members to do the same."
California Against Slavery aims to collect 600,000 signatures by March 31, 2010, to place the initiative on the November 2010 ballot.
Please visit http://www.CaliforniaAgainstSlavery.org to print and sign the petition, read the full-text of the initiative, or learn more about California Against Slavery.
The California Attorney General's official title for the initiative is: "Expands Types of Criminal Conduct That Constitute Human Trafficking and Increases Criminal Penalties. Initiative Statute."
About California Against Slavery:
California Against Slavery is a non-profit group organized by Californians appalled by the injustice of modern day slavery in our state and around the world.
Our mission is to strengthen California state laws to better reflect the personal and societal impact of human trafficking. Our goal is to pass an initiative on the November 2010 California General Election ballot to strengthen current human trafficking laws and increase victims' rights.
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Contact
California Against Slavery
Daphne Phung
(510) 473-7283
http://www.californiaagainstslavery.org
Daphne Phung
(510) 473-7283
http://www.californiaagainstslavery.org
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