8/6/2019 Anti-Human Trafficking Factsheet

1/1

Supported by the

Combat Human Trafficking and Strengthen Victim Rights & Services

Support Senate Bill 1950What is the issue?

Human trafficking is an egregious human rights violation across the globe, including communities in Massachusetts. Itdisproportionately disrupts the immigrant community, and victims often face the double stigma of being exploited andundocumented. Human trafficking involves forcing people to work for others for profit, whether through traditional types

of labor or sexual exploitation. Victims of trafficking are subjected to slave-like conditions as domestic servants,

restaurant workers, construction workers and sex workers.

In addition to federal laws, 45 states also have human trafficking laws. Massachusetts is shamefully lagging behind,resulting in the continuing suffering of victims while local authorities are limited in their capacity to catch and prosecute

the traffickers. Meanwhile, many victims face no immigration relief, struggle to access critical services such as

counseling, medical treatment and basic education, and face many obstacles in working with law enforcement.

What can be done?

An act relating to anti-human trafficking and protection (S.820), a six-year culmination of legislative developments

spearheaded by Sen. Mark Montigny, is a comprehensive bill that addresses all three aspects of human trafficking: supply,demand, and victim services. MIRA supports legislation that criminalizes human trafficking and protects minors.

Senate Bill 1950:

y Makes human trafficking a crime.y Makes the trafficking of human organs a

crime.y Establishes a trust fund for victims through

fines, penalties asset forfeitures of traffickers.

y Allows for courts to order restitution tovictims.

y Establishes civil liability for any businessentity that participates in human trafficking.

y Establishes safe houses for victims, the rightto compensation and medical benefits for

child victims, and mandates appropriateservices from state agencies.

y Applies rape shield law to victims of humantrafficking.

y Creates a task force that is charged with:collecting information, identifying programsand areas of assistance for victims, educating

law enforcement officials and the publicabout human trafficking, and analyzing statelaws and recommending stronger laws.

y Establishes Safe Harbor legislation thatprotects victims under 18, strengthen the role

of DCF and rape crisis services.

What can I do?

Askyour State Representative to support Senate Bill 1950 (Redraft of S.820)

with victim rights and assistance provisionsCall State House Switchboard: 617-722-2000

or find your State Representative at: www.miracoalition.org