Recently, the problem of human trafficking has become a serious concern in the United States. For decades, the American government believed that human trafficking was primarily a problem in other countries, and didn't necessarily affect the U.S. Yet recent discoveries have shown that there are many human trafficking operations taking place in the United States underground and in the dark. That is why a majority of states have created significant laws to battle this problem.
Last year, 39 states passed anti-human trafficking laws. Some experts say that there is a lack of research about the persuasiveness of the problem and what tactics will lead to more prosecutions for human trafficking offenders. The Polaris Project is a human trafficking rescue operation that runs a hotline and has been ranking states for four years based on the effectiveness of their human trafficking laws. The Polaris Project looks at how these laws protect victims and punish offenders.
Often this group considers whether laws lower the burden of proof for prosecuting the trafficking of minors. Also, the Polaris Project inspects state laws to see if they vacate the convictions of trafficking victims, and if law enforcement officials are given training to handle trafficking situations.
In most states, human trafficking is defined as the recruitment, transportation, or harboring of people by force, deception, or coercion. Victims are commonly physically and mentally abused. Man women and children are forced into prostitution, or are placed in unfair working conditions. In some situations, the victims are severely exploited.
Anti- Human trafficking organizations say that there needs to be more funding put into studying trafficking and training law enforcement officials to maximize the state's current laws about the issue. Some anti-trafficking advocates also believe that the state and federal governments need to partner on some laws and help to give them extra enforcement.
An article in USA Today writes that states also need to educate the public about the prevalence of human trafficking within America. The state and local governments need to work hard to get e funding that they need to continue enforcing laws, raising awareness, and training law enforcement.
Currently, federal law prohibits human trafficking. The Department of Homeland Security writes in the U.S. Code Title 22 Chapter 78 that victims are protected by The Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act. This act combats trafficking in the sex trade and has been reauthorized three times since it was passed initially.
The most recent reauthorization occurred in 2008. Also, The Customs and Facilitations and Trade Enforcement Reauthorization Act of 2009 prohibits the importation of any goods into the United States that may be used to benefit the practice of human trafficking and forced labor.
The Mann Act of 1910 is an older law that makes it a felony to persuade, induce, entice, or coerce an individual to travel across state lines to engage in prostitution. This is a law that is still used to prosecute human traffickers today that are bussing women and children across state lines for sexual businesses.
Also, the Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act of 2000 combats human smuggling and trafficking. The law particularly deals with property owners that are keeping human trafficking victims on their property for illegal uses. The same law also applies to those that are smuggling or harboring illegal aliens.
This is an important act, as many police officers may choose to turn a blind eye to suspicious activity in homes nearby. This law makes it so that law enforcement must administer justice to those who aid in a human trafficking operation by providing facilities for the victims. Also, the PROTECT Act of 2003 helps to protect children from abuse and sexual exploitation.
This law can also be used in court to prosecute traffickers. If you have been accused of human trafficking, you will want a knowledgeable attorney to help you. As states are cracking down on this practice, the prosecution will most likely be relentless when it comes to prosecution. Contact a nearby criminal defense attorney today to discuss your options.
