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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 


Cheryl Thomas, Women’s Rights Program Director                       Robin Phillips, Executive Director
(w) 612-341-3302, ext.102                                                           (w) 612-341-3302, ext. 109
cthomas@advrights.org                                                              rphillips@advrights.org


 
 
Legislation to Prevent and Combat Sex Trafficking in Minnesota
 
Minneapolis / St. Paul, MN (February 26, 2009) – The Advocates for Human Rights will hold a
press conference on Monday, March 2nd at 10:00 AM in Room 125 at the State Capitol regarding the introduction of a bill on preventing and combating sex trafficking in Minnesota. Senator Sandy Pappas will speak about the bill and its importance in protecting victims of sex trafficking. Following the press conference, the bill will be introduced in the Senate.
 
Background:  The Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force, established in 2006, was appointed with the task of making recommendations to the Commissioner of Public Safety on how to best to address and combat the issue of human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation in the State of Minnesota.
 
In the fall of 2008, a subcommittee examined current state legislation, and made recommendations for changes that would protect victims of trafficking, while simultaneously prosecuting traffickers. Many of the recommendations came from The Advocates’ report Sex Trafficking Needs Assessment for the State of Minnesota. The legislative committee met with county prosecutors and city officials for the purpose of educating them on the issue of trafficking, the lack of legal remedies that the state offers to victims, and prosecution for perpetrators.
 
The Task Force met in early January of 2009 to discuss the drafted bill. The task force invited members from the community with expertise in the issue of human trafficking to present ideas on how Minnesota can best address this human rights violation through legal reform. The Task Force is confident that this bill is in the best interest of human trafficking victims and will strengthen Minnesota’s ability to provide protection for victims of trafficking and to prosecute traffickers.
 
If you have any questions about the press conference, the proposed legislation, or The Advocates’ report on sex trafficking in Minnesota, please contact Cheryl Thomas at 612-341-3302 ext.102 or at cthomas@advrights.org.
 
 
The Advocates for Human Rights is a non-governmental, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the promotion and protection of internationally recognized human rights. With the help of over 1000 volunteers, The Advocates investigates and exposes human rights violations; represents immigrants and refugees in our community who are victims of human rights abuses, trains and assists groups that protect human rights; and works through education and advocacy to engage the public, policymakers and children about human rights and cultural understanding. The Advocates for Human Rights holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations.