Smucker Joins Bipartisan Effort to Combat Human Trafficking
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-16) is working across the aisle to help bring attention and find solutions to combat human trafficking. Rep. Smucker has cosponsored two bipartisan bills to help fight online sex trafficking and to help victims clear their names of any wrongdoing.
In a speech on the House floor, Rep. Smucker said:
"It's uncomfortable to talk about, but we can't shy away from talking about the fact that in the world today, young boys and girls are being sold across the globe for an average price of 90 dollars. And it's not just in remote parts of the globe. More than 14 thousand people are trafficked into the United States each year. It's happening all across America, and in Lancaster, Berks, and Chester Counties, the district that I represent in Pennsylvania.
"4 out of 5 people trafficked in the world today are trafficked for sexual exploitation. 80 percent are female and half are children. Anti-trafficking groups gather in our churches, restaurants, and schools all across Pennsylvania and the country. Those individuals, and the victims of trafficking, should know that they have allies in Congress."
You can watch the full speech here.
BACKGROUND
Human trafficking is the third largest international crime industry after illegal drugs and arms trafficking. Rep. Smucker has cosponsored the Trafficking Survivors Relief Act and the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act. He has also spoken with local law enforcement officials in the 16th District about this issue.
Trafficking Survivors Relief Act (H.R. 459)
In many cases, trafficking victims are forced to commit crimes such as prostitution, drug dealing, money laundering, and other offenses by their captors. When victims are charged with these crimes, it makes it more difficult to secure jobs or housing, leaving them vulnerable to again becoming a victim of human trafficking.
Introduced by Rep. Ann Wagner (MO-02), the bipartisan Trafficking Survivors Relief Actwould allow victims of human trafficking to petition courts to have their non-violent crimes, that occurred as a result of human trafficking, cleared from their record.
Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (H.R. 1865)
The internet is a key tool used by human traffickers to solicit women, children, and vulnerable victims. Under current law, there is no penalty for third parties that help advertise and develop web pages that promote human trafficking.
Introduced by Rep. Ann Wagner (MO-02), the bipartisan Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act would make it illegal for internet service providers to publish information or content that solicits sex trafficking, and gives law enforcement officials increased authority to prosecute companies that promote and profit from international crime.