Unique Legislation Focused on the Demand Side of Sex Trafficking Passes through Public Safety Committee
(Sacramento, CA) – The Assembly Committee on Public Safety today voted 7-0 in favor of AB 1822, the Sex-Trade Offender Program (STOP) Act. The STOP Act was introduced by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) and aims to reduce the demand side of the sex trade business.
The legislation is based on several successful programs throughout the country that have proven to be effective in significantly reducing the number repeat offenders from soliciting sex after their completion of the program. These local programs are designed to educate convicted sex trade buyers about the dangers of being a participant in sex trade and human trafficking. The program is in addition to other penalties imposed by law.
“When it comes to putting a stop to the sex-trade in California, providing aid for victims and bringing justice to traffickers is critical, but in order to truly address the problem we need to make sure that convicted sex buyers don’t become repeat offenders. These programs have an effective track record by providing an understanding of the greater cost and human suffering that happens through sex trade.” stated Assemblymember Irwin.
Human Trafficking is a modern day form of slavery which lies just beneath the surface of many aspects in our daily lives and can easily go unnoticed. Recent data from the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHRTC) indicates a steady increase in human trafficking cases in California, with 979 cases reported in 2015 alone. Of those, most of the victims are women and children, and vast majorities are forced into the sex trade. The global sex-trade has grown into a powerful industry worth approximately $32 billion, and with many of their most important customers living right here in the United States.
AB 1822 would authorize the court, in addition to any other penalty imposed by law, to require a person who has been convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in an act of prostitution, to attend and successfully complete a sex trade buyer first offender program approved by the probation department, if an approved program is available.
STOP programs would provide 6 to 8 hours of education on a range of topics including;
- Effects of sex trade on sellers, often victims of trafficking, assault, drug addiction, and various forms of exploitation.
- The legal consequences of subsequent offenses.
- Dynamics of trafficking; how pimps often recruit, control, and exploit women and children for profit, including first-hand accounts of a sex trafficking survivor.
- Sexual addictions, focusing on how involvement in commercial sex may be driven by sexual addiction and how to seek help for this condition.
While this would be the first statewide implementation of the program, the concept has been effectively implemented in over 50 cities and counties across the U.S., including San Francisco and San Diego, resulting in a 50% reduction in recidivism, or re-offense, rates.
“AB 1822 will provide local authorities with an additional tool to help chip away at the demand side of this multi-billion dollar industry and help put an end to the vicious cycle of suffering of those trapped in the sex-trade.” said Assemblymember Irwin.
Asm. Irwin Website: http://asmdc.org/members/a44/