On Thursday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed a bill that significantly increases the penalties for those convicted of human trafficking. Trafficking a minor in Alabama carries a life sentence.
“HB42 (The Sound of Freedom Act) is currently the toughest anti-human trafficking law in the nation,” Governor Ivey said on Twitter. “I am proud to sign this bill into law and applaud Rep. Givens for introducing and shepherding this important legislation.”
HB42 was introduced by State Rep. Donna Givens (R-Loxley).
The new law would increase the penalty for first-degree human trafficking to life in prison if the victim is a minor. Governor Ivey called for the legislation during her State of the State address.
The new law was called the “Sound of Freedom Act.” Recent Movies It has brought the issue of human trafficking to light for a wide audience across the country.
“The trafficking of minors is one of America's most heinous and devastating crimes, and those convicted of it should face the harshest penalties because its victims are the most defenseless among us,” said Governor Ivey.
“As human trafficking spreads across the nation, law enforcement agencies everywhere struggle to keep up with those seeking to harm and exploit innocent victims. Sadly, we have seen cases here in Alabama where traffickers continue to ignore the law, but no longer.”
“Lines must be drawn. Alabama has the toughest penalties in the nation for those convicted of first-degree human trafficking of minors,” Ivey said. “They face life in prison. This is something that criminals should think long and hard about before they seek to harm children in our state.”
“I am proud to sign the Sound of Freedom Act so that Alabama can take the lead in protecting children from these horrific crimes,” Ivey concluded, “and I commend Representative Donna Givens for introducing this important bill and shepherding it to final approval.”
Under the bill, a person commits the crime of first-degree human trafficking if he or she:
- Intentionally subjecting another person to labor or sexual slavery.
- Knowingly procure, recruit, entice, solicit, induce, coerce, harbor, confine, transport, provide, or retain a minor for the purpose of engaging in sexual servitude.
- Knowingly giving or attempting to give monetary or other things of value to engage in sexual conduct with a minor or an individual believed to be a minor.
It is not necessary for a defendant to know the age of a minor victim, nor is it necessary for a defendant to know the age of a minor victim, and a reasonable misunderstanding as to age is not a defense to liability.
Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing criminal enterprises. The demand for girls and young women for sex, either in person or over the Internet, is virtually limitless, as is the demand for labor.
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