October 19, 2018 | Speaker Ryan Press Office | https://spkrryan.us/2ypYXkV
Earlier this year, Congress took action to protect communities from human trafficking, the world’s fastest-growing crime. In Wisconsin, for example, it is happening in each of the state’s 72 counties.
‘An important breakthrough’: “The oldest crime gets a new law to combat sex trafficking. . . . FOSTA, Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act, was a rare bipartisan piece of legislation that followed Senate hearings that exposed Backpage’s horrors. It makes an important breakthrough in how federal law treats harmful content on the internet.” (Editorial, New York Daily News)
A years-long effort: The new trafficking law was sponsored in the House by Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO) and includes reforms authored by Rep. Mimi Walters (R-CA) as part of the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act. It was supported by law enforcement, anti-trafficking advocates, faith-based groups, and members of the broader tech community.
Immediate results: “Craigslist, Reddit Shut Down Personal Ads In Wake Of Sex Trafficking Bill” (Huffington Post, 3/23/18)
60 to 80 percent: “The law took effect in April, but supporters say it is already having an impact. ‘The sites that had been marketing children are not operating out and above-board anymore and that’s a huge success as far as we’re concerned,” Carol Smolenski, executive director of Ecpat-USA, a nonprofit group that fights child exploitation, said in an interview with CNBC’s ‘Deadly Rich.’ Early indications are that 60 to 80 percent of U.S. online sex advertising volume has disappeared, according to Rob Spectre, a New York-based consultant and programmer who works with Ecpat-USA and other anti-trafficking organizations.” (CNBC, 7/27/18)
“We are seeing results”: “Take human trafficking, one of the world’s fastest-growing crimes. This spring, Congress passed a law cracking down on websites that make it far, far too easy to sell women and children with impunity.” Watch the clip.
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