Human trafficking is the world’s fastest growing criminal enterprise with victims as young as 13 being forced into prostitution.
Sacramento – The California Assembly today overwhelmingly approved Senate Bill 955 to aid in stopping the sex trade in young women and men by allowing law enforcement to seek a court-ordered wiretap when human trafficking is suspected.
Assemblymember Chris Holden, principal co-author of SB 955, presented the measure on the Assembly floor:
“I want to thank Senator Holly Mitchell for authoring this important legislation. We’ve been working on this for two years ever since we learned that criminal gangs were moving thousands of young women and men – some as young as 13 – into California each year and turning them into prostitutes,” explained Assemblymember Holden. “This bill would help law enforcement intercept these guys who prey on our young people and it would turn California into a leader in preventing child trafficking. If it can save one life, then this bill is worth it.”
More than 100,000 American children are exploited through prostitution each year. It is the world’s fastest growing criminal enterprise raking in some $32 billion worldwide. Many of these victims have been in foster care or in the child welfare system and are vulnerable to exploitation.
SB 955 returns to the Senate for brief concurrence before going to Gov. Brown for signature.