Thursday, November 21, 2024
Hawai'i Free Press

Current Articles | Archives

Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Hawaii Now Only State in Nation Without Sex Trafficking Law
By News Release @ 5:52 PM :: 4658 Views :: Law Enforcement

Virginia’s New Law Leaves Hawaii Only State in Nation Without Sex Trafficking Law

A New Study by Shared Hope International Finds Critical Gaps in State Laws

News Release from Shared Hope International, November 11, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. Hawaii and Virginia were the last two states in the nation without a law specifically criminalizing sex trafficking; however, 2015 legislative gains in Virginia left Hawaii behind. According to a new study by Shared Hope International, Hawaii and Virginia both suffer critical gaps in state laws addressing child sex trafficking. Both states earned a mere “D” on the Protected Innocence Challenge state report cards that measure sufficiency of state child sex trafficking laws. While Virginia and Hawaii have significant room for improvement, Virginia’s new sex trafficking law is a major advancement in state response.

In March 2015, after an aggressive advocacy campaign led by the Kids Are Not For Sale in Virginia coalition, Virginia enacted its first sex trafficking law. The bill, championed by Chief Patron Delegate Timothy Hugo (HB 1964) and Chief Patron Senator Mark Obenshain (SB 1188), closed the critical gap in Virginia law. In July, Virginia made its first arrest under the new law.

In 2010 and 2015, Hawaii attempted to pass its first law specifically criminalizing sex trafficking. It failed on both attempts. Last year, Hawaii Governor Ige vetoed SB 265 which could have been Hawaii’s first sex trafficking law. The Governor cited criticisms of the bill by opponents whose own conduct has been under scrutiny for harmful treatment of possible sex trafficking victims. Hawaii is expected to revisit the issue in 2016.

“While both states have significant room for improvement in state laws to protect children from trafficking,” Linda Smith, President and Founder of Shared Hope International said. “Virginia took a major leap forward, leaving Hawaii in the national hot seat as the only state in the nation without a sex trafficking law.”

Shared Hope International launched the Protected Innocence Challenge, an annual evaluation of the sufficiency of state laws that impact child sex trafficking, in 2011 to provide accountability and legislative direction for states. Previously, many states relied on federal statutes to address the crime; yet, many trafficking crimes were not accepted for federal prosecution, forcing states to handle the cases locally and relying on weak or insufficient laws. Over half the nation earned failing scores on the inaugural 2011 report card. Since then, 47 states have raised their grade.

---30---

Shared Hope International is an anti-trafficking organization focusing on prevention, restoration and justice for victims of sex trafficking. Founded in 1998 by Congresswoman Linda Smith, Shared Hope is a trusted leader for training, research, restorative development, and legislative development

Links

TEXT "follow HawaiiFreePress" to 40404

Register to Vote

2aHawaii

Aloha Pregnancy Care Center

AntiPlanner

Antonio Gramsci Reading List

A Place for Women in Waipio

Ballotpedia Hawaii

Broken Trust

Build More Hawaiian Homes Working Group

Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii

Cliff Slater's Second Opinion

DVids Hawaii

FIRE

Fix Oahu!

Frontline: The Fixers

Genetic Literacy Project

Grassroot Institute

Habele.org

Hawaii Aquarium Fish Report

Hawaii Aviation Preservation Society

Hawaii Catholic TV

Hawaii Christian Coalition

Hawaii Cigar Association

Hawaii ConCon Info

Hawaii Debt Clock

Hawaii Defense Foundation

Hawaii Family Forum

Hawaii Farmers and Ranchers United

Hawaii Farmer's Daughter

Hawaii Federation of Republican Women

Hawaii History Blog

Hawaii Jihadi Trial

Hawaii Legal News

Hawaii Legal Short-Term Rental Alliance

Hawaii Matters

Hawaii Military History

Hawaii's Partnership for Appropriate & Compassionate Care

Hawaii Public Charter School Network

Hawaii Rifle Association

Hawaii Shippers Council

Hawaii Together

HiFiCo

Hiram Fong Papers

Homeschool Legal Defense Hawaii

Honolulu Navy League

Honolulu Traffic

House Minority Blog

Imua TMT

Inouye-Kwock, NYT 1992

Inside the Nature Conservancy

Inverse Condemnation

July 4 in Hawaii

Land and Power in Hawaii

Lessons in Firearm Education

Lingle Years

Managed Care Matters -- Hawaii

MentalIllnessPolicy.org

Missile Defense Advocacy

MIS Veterans Hawaii

NAMI Hawaii

Natatorium.org

National Parents Org Hawaii

NFIB Hawaii News

NRA-ILA Hawaii

Obookiah

OHA Lies

Opt Out Today

Patients Rights Council Hawaii

Practical Policy Institute of Hawaii

Pritchett Cartoons

Pro-GMO Hawaii

RailRipoff.com

Rental by Owner Awareness Assn

Research Institute for Hawaii USA

Rick Hamada Show

RJ Rummel

School Choice in Hawaii

SenatorFong.com

Talking Tax

Tax Foundation of Hawaii

The Real Hanabusa

Time Out Honolulu

Trustee Akina KWO Columns

Waagey.org

West Maui Taxpayers Association

What Natalie Thinks

Whole Life Hawaii