Saying, “Human trafficking isn’t just a big city problem,” Watervliet State Representative Pauline Wendzel is working in Lansing to combat the crime, joining a bipartisan group of legislators in introducing sweeping legislation to help fight human trafficking in Michigan and help survivors rebuild their lives after escaping their captors.
Wendzel repeats, “Human trafficking isn’t just a big city problem,” adding, “This barbaric crime is growing at an alarming rate and is sadly a Southwest Michigan problem too.” Rep. Wendzel goes on to say, “Michigan is ranked among the ten worst states for human trafficking with more than 4,000 victims identified since 2007. What’s even more troubling is that it remains underreported because victims are silenced through fear and intimidation.”
The bipartisan package, House Bills 4091-4113 would:
- Expand the types of criminal convictions that can be set aside if a crime was committed because someone is a victim of human trafficking;
- Allow human trafficking victims who were forced to engage in criminal activity the opportunity to use their victimization as an affirmative defense in court;
- Allow juvenile offenses committed by a young victim of trafficking to be expunged from their criminal record;
- Change references of “prostitution” to “commercial sexual activity” in state law; and
- Update and clarify several court procedures for human trafficking cases.
According to the U.S. Department of State, human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing crimes globally, second only to drug trafficking as the highest yielding form of crime with approximately $87 million made per day from sex trafficking transactions.
State Rep Wendzel concludes, “This crime is very real and is unfortunately happening around us every day. I’m proud to be part of this package, and I will fight back and advocate for the thousands of victims across our community, state, and nation.”
The package of bills has been referred to the Committee on Judiciary in Lansing for further consideration.
