Assemblyman Joseph M. Giglio (R,C,I-Gowanda) today announced that the state Assembly has passed legislation to protect women, children and victims of human sex trafficking. The Trafficking Victims Protection & Justice Act enhances what already are tough and comprehensive state laws protecting victims, many of whom are underage children, from potential legal repercussions of forced prostitution, labor trafficking, and sex trafficking.

“Unfortunately, we live in a world, a country, a state where the trafficking of human beings, namely women and young children, for sex, labor and prostitution continues to exist,” said Assemblyman Giglio. “Although New York State has some of the most comprehensive anti-human trafficking laws in the nation, it is critical that we do what we can as a Legislature, a law-making body, to give law enforcement and social service agencies the tools they need to eradicate these crimes. Violent predators that take part in these types of offenses deserve a punishment that fits the crime, and that is what this Trafficking Protection Act does.”

In addition to enhancing legal protections for victims of trafficking abuse, the Trafficking Victims Protection & Justice Act enhances penalties for patronizing underage prostitutes, re-classifies several prostitution-related crimes as violent felony offenses for sentencing purposes, and enhances the training law enforcement members receive on sex trafficking crimes, the victims of those crimes, and the services available to them.

The Trafficking Victims Protection & Justice Act has previously been passed by the state Senate, and it will be sent to the Governor for his approval.