As we continue to mark the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, a conflict that fundamentally shaped our nation, it is important that residents of our commonwealth bear in mind our state’s rich history as a center of the abolitionist movement — the movement to end slavery — in America. How can we forget our Quaker heritage and the difficult and dangerous work of local abolitionists who not only spoke out against the evils of slavery, but who risked imprisonment to help slaves reach freedom?
It is not enough to simply remember. To truly respect and honor our abolitionist heritage, we must commit ourselves to end slavery in all its forms today.
There is no doubt that this modern-day slavery is taking place in Pennsylvania. Often victims are hiding in plain sight — forced into labor at a nail salon, a sweatshop, the agricultural industry or a massage parlor or spa serving as a front for a brothel. All too often, human trafficking is tragically mistaken for or prosecuted as another crime, with victims treated as criminals and sometimes even released into the custody of the very people who have victimized them.
That is why we have joined together to call for new measures to put an end to human trafficking – Senate Bill 75, which would improve and better define Pennsylvania’s human trafficking laws so that they can be better utilized by law enforcement. The current legal definition of human trafficking is vague, making it difficult to effectively prosecute perpetrators, who are often charged with other crimes and allowed to plea to lesser charges. In addition, victims of human trafficking can face prostitution charges even though they have been forced into the sex trade.
Senate Bill 75 also calls for:
• A new chapter in the Pennsylvania Crime Code focusing on human trafficking and strengthening the hands of prosecutors. It also stiffens the penalties and increases the fines for human trafficking.
• The establishment of the Pennsylvania Council for the Prevention of Human Trafficking, which would be tasked with training law enforcement personnel, raising public awareness and enacting a state plan for the provision of services to human trafficking victims in Pennsylvania.
• Giving the victims of human trafficking express authority to bring civil suits against perpetrators for actual damages, compensatory damages, injunctive relief and any other appropriate relief.
Recently, Senate Bill 75 was unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and sent to the Senate floor for the next vote. Together, we are calling on our constituents to encourage your state senators and representatives to approve this bill.
Learn more at Senator Stewart Greenleaf’s and Senator Andy Dinniman’s Centre Daily Times article: Support new abolitionist movement.
Justice For Life 