Assemblyman Stirpe: Human Trafficking Must Be Brought to an End
Stands with colleagues and advocates in support of tougher penalties
Just last year, a young sex trafficking survivor Brianna, traveled to Albany to speak to the members of the Assembly. She told the story of how her school janitor kidnapped her and sold her to a pimp when she was only nine years old. In an effort to tackle this horrible and real problem that’s happening across our state, Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-Cicero) joined his colleagues and advocates at a press conference announcing comprehensive measures that aim to bring an end to human trafficking and provide for better protections for children.
“Stories like Brianna’s put this horrible issue into perspective – especially when two thirds of the victims are women and children. Young victims deserve protection and help healing. They deserve to know that there is a better life waiting for them after human trafficking and sexual assault,” stated Assemblyman Stirpe.
According to the UN Office of Drugs and Crime, this industry is estimated to be exploiting over 2.4 million people and generates $32 billion per year.[1] The package Assemblyman Stirpe supports includes the Trafficking Victims Protection and Justice Act, which would make engaging in human trafficking a B violent felony – which holds a penalty of up to 25 years in prison – and gives law enforcement better tools to make a case against traffickers (A.506). In addition, the package would create a human trafficking hotline to provide investigators with more information, a measure to exempt victims from the DNA databank fee and establishing a program that would require employers of hotel and gaming facilities to undergo training to identify signs of human trafficking and how to prevent it (A.2636-A, A. 2469 and A.3419).
“Human trafficking is the reality of contemporary slavery – it must be brought to an end through tough penalties and awareness,” stated Assemblyman Stirpe. “I stood with my colleagues in support of these measures because steps must be taken to address this real problem in our communities.”
Over the past years, Assemblyman Stirpe has also advocated on women’s rights, including pay equity, strengthening sexual harassment laws, ending workplace discrimination and protecting victims of domestic violence.
Assemblyman Stirpe is also encouraging anyone who has noticed any signs of human trafficking or has any information to call Central New York’s case management center at 315-474-7428 x11 or email castriconef@yahoo.com.
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