A Quick Guide to Virginia’s New Human Trafficking Bills

by Dana Liebelson · 2011-02-02 06:43:00 UTC
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Last week, Change.org members were urged to support a group of new bills that promise to make a serious difference in how Virginia tackles human trafficking. Why is this legislation pressing? In 2009, 143 calls were made to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center from Virginia alone, and the Polaris Project has named the state one of its “dirty dozen” for failing to adequately address the problem. Check out this outline of which bills to watch — and why the legislation needs your support now.

HB 2190: The Bill for Victims

This bill, proposed by Delegate Adam P. Ebbin (D-Virginia), aims to address the lack of comprehensive services for victims of trafficking. It will require the Department of Social Services to develop a plan to address provisions like housing, medical care, education and legal aid for victims. It already has a great bi-partisan showing, with support from Republican Governor Robert McDonnell.

HB 1893: The Bill for Criminals

Delegate Vivian Watts (D-Virginia) introduced this bill as a way to expand the kidnapping statute to include trafficking. Under the bill, transporting a child under 16 for the purpose of prostitution will be a Class 2 felony. The bill also expands the law to make forcing a person into labor a Class 4 felony.  Creating laws that acknowledge the seriousness of trafficking crimes? That’s something I can definitely get behind.

HB 2393: The Hotline Bill

This bill makes sure that any business specializing in “stripteasing or topless entertaining” has to publicly post the number to the national trafficking hotline, and a message directing potential victims towards the resource. This one is a no-brainer.

HB 2440: The Prostitution Bill

Did you know 16 and 17 year olds could technically still be charged with prostitution in Virginia — even if they’ve been trafficked? This bill will stop this practice, by ensuring people engaged in prostitution who prove coercion aren't arrested and charged and by expunging the criminal records of trafficking victims arrested for prostitution.

To show your support for these bills, send this petition to Virginia legislatures today!

Photo Credit: Kaitlyn Kalon

Dana Liebelson Dana Liebelson is a writer from Washington, DC, and works for an international journalism non-profit organization.

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