Hoffman Highlights Human Trafficking Awareness Month, New Law to Crack Down on Exploiters

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To raise attention around the issue of human trafficking, state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, is highlighting a new law he recently supported to crack down on human trafficking and enhance penalties for those who benefit from exploitation.

“As Human Trafficking Awareness Month continues, I want to remind the community of the importance of learning the signs of human trafficking. By raising awareness we can help put an end to these heinous crimes,” said Hoffman. “If you see something you have to say something, especially with our close proximity to major transportation hubs in St. Louis. Human trafficking is extremely underreported, but by increasing our awareness we can increase reporting, bring justice to survivors and hold abusers accountable.”

The International Labor Organization estimates that 40.3 million people are trapped in modern slavery and human trafficking globally – 71% of whom are women and girls and 25% are children. The Hoffman-backed Senate Bill 1890 made extensive changes to crack down on human trafficking by extending the statute of limitations on both criminal and civil cases up to 25 years, providing further training for all law enforcement officers on identifying and investigating suspected human trafficking situations, and subjecting businesses that benefit from human trafficking and similar crimes to new fines of up to $100,000.

“It is important to stay vigilant and recognize the signs of human trafficking, as it does not matter where you live in the state, modern slavery and human trafficking could be happening anywhere,” continued Hoffman. “I am proud to have helped pass a new law to help bring justice to survivors and hold abusers accountable for their crimes, but it is clear that more must be done to put an end to human trafficking.”