California Law Means Pimps Could Lose Their Bling

by Amanda Kloer · 2010-08-11 14:30:00 UTC
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This week the California state senate unanimously approved legislation which would allow courts to seize private property used to commit human trafficking. That means pimps and traffickers could lose their cars, homes, and gadgets. If passed, this sort of legislation would go a long way from deterring pimps from trafficking women and girls and provide important funds for trafficking survivors.

SB 677, the legislation authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco), would make any property owned by pimps and used to commit human trafficking the state's for the taking. That means if a pimp drives a trafficked girl around in his car, he could lose it. If he houses her at his condo, he could lose it. And if he advertises for her on Craigslist on his brand new iPhone, he could lose that too. The legislation would also add civil penalties up to $25,000, meaning victims could recover some of what was spent on things that can't be reclaimed, like drugs or travel.

If Yee's bill becomes law in California, it will mean pimps and traffickers could lose massive amounts of money and property. And since financial gain is what propels the sex trafficking industry, concern about losing their bling might just make some pimps think twice before selling someone against their will or a child who can't consent to sex.

Furthermore, this legislation will pack a wallop of justice. Trafficking pimps will often oversee several girls at once, collecting some or all of their money. While the girls are forced to have sex with sometimes dozens of men a night, the pimps get rich with very little effort (save an occasional rape or beating). So in cases of human trafficking, the fancy car, great house, and other "bling" a pimp has were often earned by his victims. It only seems reasonable that after he is caught and broguht to justice, his victims should finally reap the benefits of all their work and abuse.

SB 677 will now receive a procedural concurrence vote in the Senate before consideration by the Governor. And if the Governor signs it, California may be leading the charge on hitting pimps where it hurts them the most — their wallets.

Photo credit: Eraphenalia

Amanda Kloer is a Change.org Editor and has been a full-time abolitionist in several capacities for seven years. Follow her on Twitter @endhumantraffic
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