LANSING – Taking aim at a form of modern-day slavery, a group of House Democratic lawmakers today introduced a plan to crack down on human trafficking in Michigan. This horrific crime, which victimizes hundreds of thousands of people from around the world every year, is a growing problem in Michigan and across the United States.
"Women and children are the primary victims of this sickening crime," said State Representative Dudley Spade (D-Tipton), lead sponsor of the plan. "The enslavement of another human being is a disgusting and vile act, and the attempt to profit off this suffering is absolutely appalling. By going after those who bankroll these kidnappers, we'll hit them where it hurts and be able to provide restitution for victims."
An estimated 800,000 men, women, and children are trafficked across international borders each year, according to statistics compiled by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Of these victims, 80 percent are female and 50 percent are children. Most of these victims are forced into the commercial sex trade.[i] In addition, 14,500 to 17,500 foreign nationals are trafficked into the United States each year.[ii]
"It is absolutely abhorrent that hundreds of thousands of children are trafficked each year," said State Representative Vicki Barnett (D-Farmington Hills), a bill sponsor. "Every day, criminals are profiting off human suffering, and Michigan cannot be a place that allows this to happen. Under our plan, Michigan's laws would be among the toughest in the nation."
In addition to strengthening existing laws, the House Dems' package will:
- Add human trafficking to the list of offenses that qualify for prosecution under Michigan's racketeering statute so that prosecutors can go after the individuals involved as well as those who support them and fund their activities.
- Provide for the seizure and sale of any assets used in human trafficking, and allow the proceeds to be used for further trafficking enforcement.
- Provide for restitution for the victims.
In 2007, a Farmington Hills couple were found guilty of bringing a 14-year-old girl from their native Cameroon and forcing her into service as their unpaid maid. The man and woman were sentenced to 17 and five years of prison, respectively. The Midwest has been identified as an area of increased human trafficking, with Toledo, Ohio serving as a major recruiting hub for the sex trade due to its location and proximity to major highways. An FBI undercover investigation late last month netted 21 individuals in northern Ohio as part of an effort to combat the underage sex-trade.
"This plan will ensure that criminals will not be able to profit off the suffering of others, and victims would be provided compensation to help them get through their traumatic experience," said State Representative Mark Meadows (D-East Lansing), Chair of the House Judiciary Committee. "We must protect children and teens from this abhorrent crime and give victims a chance to rebuild their lives."
[i] U.S. Department of State. 2009. Trafficking in Persons Report. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of State
[ii] U.S. Department of Justice. 2004. Report to Congress from Attorney General John Ashcroft on U.S. Government Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons in Fiscal Year 2003. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice