Introducing our new monthly newsletter...#InTheKNOW!

#Inthe KNOW

Welcome to the CATE monthly newsletter, #IntheKNOW, showcasing our new and improved look and logo!

Spotlight

Introducing Rich Binning...

CATE Manager

Rich is from East Alton, Illinois and currently resides in St. Charles, Missouri. Rich has a B.S in Historical Studies and Political Science from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, a B.A in Theological Studies from Central Bible College (Evangel University), and a M.A in Historical Studies.

Rich has been active in the anti-trafficking movement since 2009. He worked with the International Justice Mission on anti-trafficking legislation and served as the Volunteer Coordinator for Advocacy and Mobilization in the state of Missouri. He also traveled with the organization to their field offices in Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. Currently, he is a member of the Human Trafficking Collaborative Network at Washington University and works on the Missouri Attorney General’s Office Human Trafficking Research Collaboration.

State Policy To Watch

SB37 (Sen. Robert Onder) – Penalties for Promoting Prostitution

* Modifies the offense and penalties of promoting prostitution

* Adds offense related to owning, managing, and/or operating interactive computer services that promote the prostitution of another and defines penalties for doing so

HCR20 (Rep. Kenneth Wilson) and SCR3 (Sen. Ed Emery) – Warns of Dangers of Pornography

* Officially recognizing pornography as a public health hazard that leads to a broad spectrum of individual and public health impacts and harms

* Recognizes the need for additional education, prevention, research, and policy change and urges governing bodies to take appropriate steps to ensure progress is made

HB480 (Rep. Thomas Hannegan) – Human Trafficking Training for Service Industry Employees

* Establishes and defines human trafficking reporting training requirements for service industry employees

HB397 (Rep. Mary Coleman) – Child Sex Trafficking Provisions

* Modifies provisions regarding the protection of children from sex trafficking

* Repeals sections requiring children under 18 to be acting “under the coercion of an agent at the time of the offense charged” and related text

* Modifies and expands definitions of criminal activity related to child sex

HB546 (Rep. Cora Walker) – Prohibiting Prosecution of Minor for Prostitution

* Removes language requiring a minor to be acting under “coercion” in order to be exempt from prosecution of prostitution charges. Replaces it with language stating that any person under the age of 18 who has engaged in prostitution acts is exempt from prosecution.

For more information on the above policies, click on the links embedded in the bill titles or visit:

Federal Policy To Watch

HR502 (Co Sponsor- Rep. Ann Wagner) - FIND Trafficking Act

Representative Ann Wagner recently cosponsored a bill that passed in the House. This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on the use of virtual currencies and online marketplaces in sex and drug trafficking. The GAO must study topics including

* how illicit proceeds are transferred into the U.S. banking system,

* state and non-state actors that participate in such activity,

* preventative efforts from federal and state agencies, and

* the extent to which the unique characteristics of virtual currencies can contribute to the tracking and prosecution of illicit funding.

Upcoming Dates

Community Network Quarterly Meetings

April 4, 2019

Time: 9am-10:30am

Location: Healing Action Office

June 27, 2019

Time: 9am-10:30am

Location: Healing Action Office

October 3, 2019

Time: 9am-10:30am

Location: Healing Action Office

Coalition Against Trafficking and Exploitation

314.833.4515

organizer@mocate.org