New Bipartisan Bill Increases Minimum Action States Must Take to Reduce Sex-Trafficking

Credit: Ira Gelb

Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) recently introduced the Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Act. The new legislation, if passed, would require states to use language prohibiting the purchase of sex as a minimum measure in preventing sex trafficking.

The bill states “if a government has the authority to prohibit the purchase of commercial sex acts but fails to do so, it shall be deemed to have failed to make serious and sustained efforts to reduce the demand for commercial sex acts.” If the bill is passed, those who purchase sex from traffickers or prostitutes can face legal consequences. If this bill successfully makes sex-trafficking and prostitution less profitable throughout the United States, the women and children (born and unborn) who are often hurt in these practices will be better for it. Click here for more.