In the past month, I have been given two new assignments. In June, I was assigned to the Domestic Violence Bail Review Task Force. More about this in a future column.
Just this past week I was named one of the 24 members of the Human Trafficking Interagency Coordinating Council.
House Bill 87 increased the membership of the Human Trafficking Interagency Coordinating Council to 24 members by adding representatives from the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Criminal Justice Council, the Department of Transportation, the Division of Professional Regulation, a person who has been a victim of human trafficking, and a person who has prior experience working with victims of human trafficking in a legal or advocacy capacity.
In 2017, I was the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 75, which updated Delaware's human trafficking crime to prohibit the same acts that are included in the federal Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015.
Previously missing from Delaware’s bill was a penalty for advertising or soliciting individuals to lure them into situations in which they become victims of human traffickers. The bill passed and was signed by Governor John Carney that same year.
Other bills have been passed in recent years recognizing that our laws should not punish those forced into unlawful acts under the control of others.
The National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH), 1-888-373-7888, is available for anyone who may be a victim or know of someone who may be a victim of human trafficking.
The NHTH’s website states the following:
Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery that occurs in every state, including Delaware. The NHTH works closely with service providers, law enforcement, and other professionals in Delaware to serve victims and survivors of trafficking, respond to human trafficking cases, and share information and resources.
Parents are advised to warn their children of the dangers of becoming a victim. Tell them they should never post personal information, such as full name, address or telephone number.
While a child may think the person they are communicating with on social media is of the same age, predators use the internet to identify potential victims.
Included as members of the Council is a person who has been a victim of human trafficking and a resident of any county who has prior experience in working with victims of human trafficking in a legal or advocacy capacity.
The Council shall meet at least four times per year and shall submit a written report of its activities and recommendations to the Governor, General Assembly and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court at least once every year on or before September 15.
