Category: Lawmakers

Decriminalization of Sex Work Would Only Expand Abuse

August 10, 2015

Originally published by Peter Holmes on August 6, 2015 for The Seattle Times— “Amnesty International is considering supporting the global decriminalization of crimes related to commercial sexual exploitation. This would be a travesty. The sex trade is rapidly growing here and across the world. Decriminalization would only expand the abuse and deepen the inequality inherent in … More Decriminalization of Sex Work Would Only Expand Abuse

Top Prosecutors from UK and Ireland Pledge to Work Together to Tackle Human Trafficking

October 21, 2014

Originally posted on BBC News on October 17, 2014— “Top prosecutors from across the UK and Ireland have pledged to work together to tackle human trafficking, described by one as “the slavery of our times”. The heads of prosecution services in Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland met amid a rise … More Top Prosecutors from UK and Ireland Pledge to Work Together to Tackle Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking Bills Going to Gov Would Make Michigan ‘One of the Top States’ in National Fight

October 7, 2014

By Jonathan Oosting for MLive.com on October 2, 2014— “The Michigan House and Senate on Thursday approved more than a dozen bills designed to fight human trafficking by increasing penalties, adding tools for prosecution and protecting victims. Most of the bills are now headed to the desk of Gov. Rick Snyder. State Sen. Judy Emmons, R-Sheridan, … More Human Trafficking Bills Going to Gov Would Make Michigan ‘One of the Top States’ in National Fight

Polaris Project Ranks Colorado’s Human Trafficking Laws in Top Tier

September 18, 2014

Originally posted by Jesse Paul for The Denver Post on September 17, 2014— “After being ranked among states with the worst human trafficking laws in 2013, the Polaris Project, a Washington D.C.-based trafficking policy and victims advocacy group, gave Colorado its top ranking, it was announced Wednesday. On July 1, new statutes went into effect … More Polaris Project Ranks Colorado’s Human Trafficking Laws in Top Tier

U.S. States Boost Anti-Trafficking Laws But Slow to Help Sex, Labor Slaves

September 17, 2014

By Stella Dawson for Reuters on September 17, 2014— “A rising number of U.S. states have strengthened laws to combat human trafficking in the past year but programs to help victims of forced prostitution and labor are lagging behind, according to a report by an anti-slavery group on Wednesday. Thirty-nine of the 50 U.S. states … More U.S. States Boost Anti-Trafficking Laws But Slow to Help Sex, Labor Slaves

Governments Must Do More to Eradicate Slavery, says Kerry

June 25, 2014

By Terry FitzPatrick on June 20, 2014— “U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says “no government, anywhere yet, is doing enough” to eradicate slavery, and “zones of impunity” exist around the world that allow trafficking to flourish. Kerry’s comments came as he unveiled the State Department’s 2014 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report this morning, which provides … More Governments Must Do More to Eradicate Slavery, says Kerry

AFRICA: Human Rights Commission Calls for End of Anti-Gay Laws

June 10, 2014

By Nick Duffy for http://www.pinknews.co.uk/ on June 3, 2014— “The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has passed a resolution condemning the spread of violence and discriminatory laws targeting gay people on the continent. The Commission passed the resolution last week, noting with “alarm” the rise of anti-gay sentiment across Africa. In January, Nigerian president Jonathan … More AFRICA: Human Rights Commission Calls for End of Anti-Gay Laws

Texas Launches Campaign to Curtail Human Trafficking in State

June 10, 2014

By KXAN News for Associated Press on June 3, 2014— “Authorities have unveiled a new statewide campaign using billboards and public service announcements to curtail human trafficking in Texas. Federal officials joined with local and state leaders Tuesday in Houston to also announce the FBI has released a list of the most-wanted traffickers in the state. … More Texas Launches Campaign to Curtail Human Trafficking in State

SINGAPORE: Activist Groups Make Recommendations for Human Trafficking Bill

June 10, 2014

By Yeo Sam Jo for The Straits Times on June 3, 2014— “In a joint statement on Tuesday, the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) and the Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME) responded to a statement on the matter issued by MP Christopher De Souza and the Inter-Agency Taskforce on Trafficking in … More SINGAPORE: Activist Groups Make Recommendations for Human Trafficking Bill

USA: House Prepares for Rare Votes on Standalone Bills to Curb Human Trafficking

May 21, 2014

By Chris Moody, Yahoo News, on May 20, 2014— ” The U.S. House of Representatives is planning to vote on a series of bills Tuesday aimed at combating human trafficking as part of a federal crackdown on sex slavery and child endangerment within the United States. While the five bills being put forward in the … More USA: House Prepares for Rare Votes on Standalone Bills to Curb Human Trafficking