Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

The House Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs Committee met jointly with the Senate Children and Youth Committee this week to hear from groups actively working to combat human trafficking.

The Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) testified that there were 13 arrests for human trafficking charges in Arkansas in 2021.

In 2022, there have been 4 arrests.

Since the year 2000, there have been 14 convictions for individuals facing human trafficking-related charges in Arkansas.

Representatives for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) also testified in the committee.

In 2021, the organization received more than 17,000 reports of possible child sex trafficking. The organization estimates that 1 in 6 of the children reported missing to NCMEC who had run away were likely victims of child sex trafficking.

Boys made up 6% of the child sex trafficking cases reported to NCMEC.

The committee also heard from organizations helping survivors recover from abuse.

Members will review the information presented to determine if there is a need to strengthen existing laws.

In the 2021 Regular Session, we passed a number of acts addressing human trafficking in Arkansas.

Act 798 provides heightened conditions for release on bail for persons accused of human trafficking and human trafficking-related offenses.

Act 1106 establishes an affirmative defense for victims of human trafficking accused of certain offenses.

Act 1098 creates the offenses of grooming a minor for future sex trafficking and traveling for the purpose of an unlawful sex act with a minor.

Child sex trafficking victims often are unable to self-identify as victims or disclose their abuse because of fear, shame, or loyalty to their abuser(s). It is not a child’s responsibility to ask for help. It is up to the professionals and trusted adults in these children’s lives to recognize the signs associated with child sex trafficking, so they can intervene and help them get the support they deserve.

You can report suspected child sex trafficking or make a tip at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) CyberTipline.org

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

January is known as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. It is a time for us to educate ourselves about human trafficking and learn to spot the signs of trafficking.

Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons or modern-day slavery, is a crime that involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services or to engage in commercial sex acts. The coercion can be subtle or overt, physical or psychological.

It endangers the lives of millions of people, and it is a crime that knows no borders.

In the 2021 Regular Session, we passed legislation strengthening our laws to combat human trafficking in Arkansas.

Act 798 provides heightened conditions for release on bail for persons accused of human trafficking and human-trafficking related offenses. Under the act, the conditions imposed may include an ankle monitor or GPS-enabled tracking device, restricted movement limited to the person's residence except in the case of a medical emergency, a restriction on internet access and access to electronic media, and an agreement by the defendant to abide by certain rules.

Act 1106 establishes an affirmative defense for victims of human trafficking accused of certain offenses.

Act 1098 creates the offenses of grooming a minor for future sex trafficking and traveling for the purpose of an unlawful sex act with a minor.

In 2019, the Polaris Project worked on 11,500 situations of human trafficking reported to the Polaris-operated U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline. These situations involved 22,326 individual survivors, nearly 4,384 traffickers, and 1,912 suspicious businesses. Human trafficking is notoriously underreported. Shocking as these numbers are, they are likely only a fraction of the actual problem.

To report suspected human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text the hotline at 233733.

You can also chat the National Human Trafficking Hotline via www.humantraffickinghotline.org/chat .