You would think that people would join the fight against Human Trafficking, today’s modern-slavery, and support our efforts to encourage lawmakers to pass a state law against Human Trafficking. But, unfortunately some people are against us. Whether they are people on the neighborhood board level, in the prosecutor’s office, attorney generals office or in the legislature, they are THERE.
I’ve been fighting against Human Trafficking in Hawaii for almost 10 years now and this year I have seen more victims than ever before. I have also met more morally corrupt people than ever before. Something must change. These people cannot be allowed to hold office or any other position of power.
Hawaii is 1 of 8 states left in the entire nation that hasn’t passed a state Human Trafficking law, making the crime a felony offence while protecting Human Trafficking victims. Currently, according to the Center for Women’s Policy funded by the Department of Justice, our home state gets an “F’ for criminalization of Human Traffickers and Patrons and another “F” for Victims’ Protection and Assistance.
Is it any wonder that the Director of Victim Witness Kokua at the Office of the City Prosecutor, the advocates for victims within the system, is against passing a state law? Go figure. By the way, this guy doesn’t even have a law degree. Shameful.
I actually got a call this morning from a Deputy Prosecutor who literally barked at me on the phone saying how she was against the current proposed bill but admitted that she had “no idea what is going on with this issue and this bill.” Verbatim. How can you be opposed to a bill when you admit that you don’t know anything about the bill or the Human Trafficking problem in Hawaii? And, why bark at someone who is trying to dialog with your office for a legitimate reason for constructive and peaceful purposes? Go figure again.
In the meantime, while these people do their best to bark and filibuster, one more child is trafficked for sex. Her body paid for by a child molestor. One more young woman is tricked by a “boyfriend” that he loves her when he forces her into a hotel room to be raped by other men for money. One more mother sits at home waiting for the Center for Missing and Exploited Children to call her saying that her little girl was found safe and is coming home.
In 2008, according to the Honolulu Police Department, there were 15 counted High Risk Victims for Human Trafficking PER MONTH just in the city of Honolulu. That’s 1 child every other day at high risk for Human Trafficking in Honolulu. Can you imagine what that statistic would be for the entire state?
Where are your priorities? Recognize the true problems and criminals of these atrocities and FIGHT BACK! Change can happen. All you have to do is the right thing.
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