Issue Position: Human Trafficking

Issue Position

Human trafficking is a growing problem in our state. Just this past summer, 100 suspects were arrested and 10 children were rescued by Wisconsin law enforcement agents as part of a single investigation. I have authored two bills to address this terrible crime.

The first, Assembly Bill 192, would require that child victims of human trafficking receive treatment and protection from child welfare agencies. Currently, children can be charged with crimes and placed in juvenile detention facilities even though they have been forced to engage in prostitution by their captors. These abused children deserve our protection, not given a criminal record. AB 192 was passed by the Assembly Criminal Justice Committee on a unanimous, bipartisan vote.

The second bill would change the law to assist prosecutors in putting human traffickers in prison. Under current law, prosecutors have to prove that the victim did not consent to the trafficking; however, because of the climate of fear and psychological manipulation employed by the traffickers, the trafficker is often able to convince the victim that they are engaging in commercial sex acts consensually. My bill removes the "without consent" requirement, which will bring Wisconsin's statutes in line with current Federal law.

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