Human-rights advocates are applauding the passage and benefits of Virginia's first standalone sex trafficking law, which goes into effect this July. They say the new law is long overdue and puts the Commonwealth in step with other states that have passed similar measures. But they also say this should simply start the effort to pass laws that deter sex trafficking-which is the second fastest-growing criminal enterprise in the U.S.
An alliance of prosecutors, law enforcement, schools, service-providers, hospitals, and advocacy groups formed "Kids Are Not For Sale In Virginia.” They pushed for the legislation to close loopholes in existing law and especially to criminalize the recruitment of minors for commercial trafficking. Coalition Coordinator Tabitha Mansfield says it means prosecutors and law enforcement will no longer have to rely on a patchwork of antiquated laws to bring traffickers to justice.
"This means that sex traffickers will face substantial penalties that reflect the seriousness of the crime, especially sex trafficking of a child. This law means more victims will be properly identified. This law means that the recruitment of children and adults for commercial sex is finally criminalized."
Fairfax County Police Detective Bill Woolf points to a recent case where law enforcement identified more than 300 human trafficking victims, rescued more than a hundred, and identified 79 traffickers.
"Of those 79, we were only able to prosecute 10."
He says the new law will allow police to pursue the traffickers who escaped prosecution and rescue more victims.
