Advocates for victims of sex trafficking say bills pending in the South Carolina legislature next year would expand penalties for forced sex work and strengthen protection for victims.
Overview
- The measures aim to differentiate penalties for buyers, sellers, and organizers of trafficking operations, and to increase consequences for purchasing sex.
- Proponents argue that harsher penalties, plus better victim protections, would disrupt trafficking networks and encourage reporting by victims.
Key proposals
- Separate penalties by role: buyers, sellers, and coordinators would face distinct consequences.
- Increase penalties for purchasing sex to reduce trafficker leverage and improve victim testimony.
- Implement training and safeguard measures to improve identification and assistance for trafficking victims.
Support and context
- Law enforcement and survivor advocates emphasize that trafficking crimes often involve multiple, co-occurring offenses, and that a holistic approach is needed to dismantle networks.
- The Tri-County Human Trafficking Task Force advocates for four major policy changes, including enhanced screening by healthcare providers and expanded childcare options for working mothers.
Potential impact
- If enacted, the bills could enhance accountability for traffickers and improve access to services for victims, potentially leading to more successful prosecutions and better victim outcomes.
Summary
South Carolina legislators are considering bills to expand penalties for forced sex work and to refine how offenses are charged, with a focus on victim protection, offender accountability, and prevention.
Author’s note: This synthesis preserves the core facts and quotes from the source while presenting a concise, reform-focused briefing in clean Markdown.
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