People who are trafficked can wind up being forced into prostitution, which is depicted in this stock photo.
Smart Talk: Taking action against human trafficking
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, an attempt to raise awareness of the often-hidden crime
-
Merideth Bucher
People who are trafficked can wind up being forced into prostitution, which is depicted in this stock photo.
It may not be in plain sight, but human trafficking happens everywhere; in communities around the country and in our own backyards. Traffickers recruit and exploit victims for money.
Pennsylvania legislators and advocacy organizations are part of the fight to combat modern-day slavery.
The Buyer Beware Act, also known as House Bill 12 and Senate Bill 60, rolled out in January and will double prison time for traffickers and patrons, if signed into law.
In April, the federal government signed into law the Fight Online Sex Trafficking act.
There is a great deal of attention and initiative focused on the problem. Is it helping?
Appearing on Smart Talk Monday to examine the issues were Jennifer Storm, Commonwealth Victim Advocate; Rhonda Hendrickson, VP of programs, Division of Residential and Violence Intervention & Prevention Services, YWCA of Greater Harrisburg; and Shea Rhodes, director of the Villanova University Law Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation.
Also joining the conversation was Rep. Seth Grove (R-York), co-author of the Buyer Beware Act, which would increase penalties on criminals convicted of certain human trafficking offenses.
To report a tip, receive information or seek help from trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text “HELP” or “INFO” to BeFree (233733)
Key Points
2:50 – Trafficking numbers in PA
12:51 – Prostitution versus sex trafficking
17:50 – Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) and the Buyer Beware Act
29:57 – Listener email: reported local observations
39:05 – The porn/sex trafficking connection
Sometimes, your mornings are just too busy to catch the news beyond a headline or two. Don’t worry. The Morning Agenda has got your back. Each weekday morning, host Tim Lambert will keep you informed, amused, enlightened and up-to-date on what’s happening in central Pennsylvania and the rest of this great commonwealth.
