FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : Monday, October 20, 2014
CONTACT: Sara Rabern (605)773-3215
Attorney General Jackley Joins Attorneys General Requesting Congressional
Assistance to Combat Human Trafficking
PIERRE, S.D – Attorney General Marty Jackley and a bipartisan group of Attorneys General and territorial Attorneys General today encouraged members of the United States Senate Judiciary Committee to pass three bills that addresses Human Trafficking.
The current bills include S2536 Stop Advertising Victims of Exploitation Act, which addresses trafficking of children on the internet, S1733 Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act of 2013, which promotes a victim centered and collaborative approach to cases and S1738 Justice for Victims of Human Trafficking, which increases federal penalties and victim restitution and strengthens law enforcement tools to fight human trafficking.
“South Dakota children are falling victim to sexual crimes including internet crimes against children. Strengthening federal law will assist in protecting victims of sex crimes and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions,” said Jackley.
Preventing kids from being trafficked on the Internet has been a long-term interest of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG). NAAG has taken several actions regarding Backpage.com and similar websites, including requesting that these exploitive websites shut down their “adult services” sections which fuel the online trafficking of youth.
South Dakota continues to address human trafficking on the state level. In 2014, at the request of the Attorney General, legislation was passed that allows for the forfeiture of profits and assets used in the furtherance of human trafficking and sex crimes after conviction. In addition, law enforcement continues to be proactive in its efforts to fight human trafficking with undercover sting operations throughout South Dakota including the Sturgis Rally. Since 2013, undercover operations have netted the arrest of 19 individuals for solicitation of a minor through social media sites.
To view the letter, please click on the link here.
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