Will Massachusetts Finally Make Human Trafficking a Crime?

by Amanda Kloer · 2011-01-22 06:00:00 UTC
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Massachusetts is one of only five states in the country that doesn't have a law criminalizing human trafficking. As a result, pimps who recruit children for prostitution, families who abuse domestic workers, and employers who confiscate workers' passports often get off with a slap on the wrist. But all that might change as Massachusetts is finally considering making human trafficking a crime.

The bill, which was  introduced this week, is supported by state Attorney General Martha Coakley and a coalition of local law enforcement and service providers.  It would create a state crime of human trafficking, which would be punishable up to 20 years in prison. For trafficking a child, however, perpetrators could be sentenced to life in prison. The new law would also provide specific penalties for johns who buy sex with trafficked persons, including up to two years in jail and and/or a $5000 fine. Additionally, it would include an asset forfeiture provision allowing money or goods obtain from trafficking to be used to pay victims restitution.

This is not the first time Massachusetts has attempted to make human trafficking a state crime. Two years ago, similar legislation was introduced, but languished without ever coming to a vote. Now, lawmakers hope this new bill has enough bipartisan appeal to maintain its early momentum. If it's successful, not only will Massachusetts leave the dwindling club of states where you can get away with slavery, they'll leave it with one of the more progressive laws in the country.

Having a state law against human trafficking is critical to allow law enforcement to arrest and try traffickers without using federal resources. It can also play an important role in the allocation of funding to care for victims and prevent trafficking. In some cases, a state trafficking law might mean the difference between a dangerous trafficker getting off with a warning and starting business back up or being removed from the people he or she was exploiting.

Tell the Massachusetts state legislature that it's about time they made human trafficking a crime. And maybe 2011 will be the year that the number of states without human trafficking laws drops from five to four.

Photo credit: dougtone

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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