EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. Summary of the Resolution The Resolution encourages lawmakers to enact legislation allowing human trafficking victims charged with prostitution related crimes or other non-violent crimes to assert an affirmative defense of being a human trafficking victim. 2. Summary of the Issue that the Resolution Addresses Currently, victims of human trafficking are being prosecuted for prostitution and other crimes directly resulting from being a trafficking victim and are not being recognized as victims. This is leading to the unjust result of victims being criminalized and being put in potential further harm by detention, or release to their captors. 3. Please Explain How the Proposed Policy Position will address the issue Enacting legislation that creates the affirmative defense of human trafficking would obligate criminal justice professionals to investigate prostitution-related cases to determine if trafficking exists and would require instituting policies on how to appropriately and effectively identify victims of human trafficking. Legislation establishing the affirmative defense of human trafficking could lead to two significant results. First, victims of human trafficking facing criminal prosecutions can avoid unjust convictions and gain access to social services and benefits to alleviate their plight. Second, identifying victims of human trafficking and obtaining their cooperation can lead law enforcement to their traffickers and possibly result in trafficking rings being shut down. 4. Summary of Minority Views None are known.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. Summary of the Resolution The Resolution encourages lawmakers to enact legislation allowing human trafficking victims charged with prostitution related crimes or other non-violent crimes to assert an affirmative defense of being a human trafficking victim. 2. Summary of the Issue that the Resolution Addresses Currently, victims of human trafficking are being prosecuted for prostitution and other crimes directly resulting from being a trafficking victim and are not being recognized as victims. This is leading to the unjust result of victims being criminalized and being put in potential further harm by detention, or release to their captors. 3. Please Explain How the Proposed Policy Position will address the issue Enacting legislation that creates the affirmative defense of human trafficking would obligate criminal justice professionals to investigate prostitution-related cases to determine if trafficking exists and would require instituting policies on how to appropriately and effectively identify victims of human trafficking. Legislation establishing the affirmative defense of human trafficking could lead to two significant results. First, victims of human trafficking facing criminal prosecutions can avoid unjust convictions and gain access to social services and benefits to alleviate their plight. Second, identifying victims of human trafficking and obtaining their cooperation can lead law enforcement to their traffickers and possibly result in trafficking rings being shut down. 4. Summary of Minority Views None are known.
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