Governor Signs Anti-Human Trafficking Legislation

Virginia  Gov. Bob McDonnell signed three new pieces of legislation that will provide additional tools to combat human trafficking in Virginia during a ceremony held Tuesday at Washington Dulles Airport in Sterling. 

The new legislation will also provide additional services for human trafficking victims.

In addition, the governor signed a proclamation making January 11 an annual observance to raise awareness for human trafficking throughout the Commonwealth.

 “Unfortunately, the subjugation of human beings who are forced against their will into labor or worse— into the sex trade,—is not something relegated to the history books or to underdeveloped third-world counties,”  McDonnell said.

“More than 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year, and although estimates vary widely, between 4 million and 27 million people are said to be trapped in modern-day slavery across the world"

The governor went on to say Virginia is one of the top 10 states for human trafficking reports received by the National Human Trafficking Resource Center call center between December and December 2007.

"We must take action to raise awareness of this disturbing scourge on our society, and we must provide law enforcement and social services agencies all of the tools we can to address these inhumane crimes," McDonnell said.

 This year, the General Assembly passed three new pieces of legislation to make it harder for these criminals to operate in Virginia, and to make additional services available to victims of the sex trade or labor trafficking.

"The General Assembly and Virginia’s government must do all it can to make Virginia’s children safer—especially from those who would sexually exploit them for money," Del. Tim Hugo said. " These laws make it more difficult for perpetrators to prey on Virginians by increasing penalties for these crimes and ensuring that all government services and agencies are working together to prevent human trafficking. We are making a clear statement that those who participate in human trafficking are not welcome in Virginia.”

  “Virginia now has very strong laws to combat those criminals who engage in human trafficking on any level," Del.  Vivian Watt said.  " I want to thank everyone who worked so hard to make this legislation successful. I’m proud to be here with the governor and all of you as we celebrate this legislation that toughens penalties and helps the victims of human trafficking.”

  January 11 will now be observed as  Global Human Trafficking Awareness Day in Virginia. This designation will help to keep the issue on the forefront of Virginians’ minds and will encourage citizens to identify and report suspected instances of human trafficking for investigations by authorities, according to a press release issued Tuesday afternoon.

 “We are very grateful to Gov.  McDonnell and the members of the General Assembly who, along with the many grassroots organizations in Virginia, have taken an active leadership role on this issue,” said Sara Pomeroy, Founder of the Richmond Justice Initiative and member of the Virginia Coalition Against Human Trafficking. “Together, with the proper awareness and action, we can fight to end modern-day slavery in our lifetime. Today is significant in many ways because it is sending a message to traffickers and those who enslave others that Virginia is open for honest, legal businesses, but closed for slavery.”

 Human Trafficking Legislation Signed Tuesday:

 SB1453 – Agency Information Sharing

• Requires Department of Criminal Justice Services to Advise Law Enforcement Agencies on Human Trafficking Issues

 HB1893 – Trafficking of a minor reclassified to Class 2 felony

• Makes abduction of a minor for the purpose of the manufacture of child pornography or prostitution a Class 2 felony

 HB2190  – Victims Services

• Requires the Department of Social Services to develop a service plan for victims of human trafficking