I have not posted anything here in a long while, but I came across something that just baffled me. I was doing some online research on nonprofits who focus on human trafficking and came across this report: “Fact Sheet on State Anti-Trafficking Laws.” Apparently Massachusetts is one of only a few states that have not passed any legislation related to stopping human trafficking. Does this strike anyone else as odd? Does anyone know if such legislation is pending?
BTW, I moved recently to Virginia, which apparently has at least passed legislation establishing a task force. I try to read BMG from time to time to keep up to speed on what is happening in my home state. Keep up the good work.
Please share widely!
…I’m not sure additional legislation is necessary here. Prostitution is already illegal and federal laws should and do address any issues relative to activities across state lines or between the United States and another country. Plus the constitution itself prohibits slavery or involuntary servitude. I guess what I’m saying is if anybody did engage in an activity covered by these statutes there would be plenty of other laws, both state and federal, under which they could be prosecuted.
One purpose of separate human trafficking laws is to start treating the subjects of human trafficking as victims and not as criminals. So anti-prostitution laws do not help. They treat the victims of human-trafficking as criminals. The focus of human trafficking laws is on those who engage in human trafficking and on those who benefit from it. The goal is to rescue the victims of human trafficking from servitude to these people. The Constitution does not help either. There needs to be a separate statute making human trafficking a crime.
says the Attorney General. Legislation has been filed in Massachusetts this session. Press release here.
Glad to hear that Massachusetts has something in the works.