New Legislation in Nevada!

If you've been a faithful reader of my blog, you'll note that many of my posts - or at least parts of them - contain elements of sarcasm, especially in relation to the United States government as well as foreign governments and their attention (or lack thereof) paid to the worldwide problem of human trafficking.

I am happy to report that I have finally found a state government that is working to create stricter legislation to assist in combating trafficking, and what's more, they are even involving a charity to assist in its work. As I read the story from USA Today about new anti-trafficking laws and harsher punishments for traffickers in Nevada, my heart soared. Finally, some hope. Finally some relief to know that foundations, such as the Reno, Nevada-based organization Awaken, Inc. are bringing the problem to the attention of the government - and offering potential solutions to it. These organizations such as Awaken, Inc. have done their homework. They know how trafficking victims have a chance to be saved, and the systems that need to be put in place to save more victims. It makes sense that they are being called upon to assist government officials in Nevada with their legislation.

Martha Bellisle of the Reno Gazette-Journal originally covered the story - but here is one more positive point: USA Today actually picked it up. National coverage on a local story about sex slavery and human trafficking. I have one word: finally. 

"A bill passed by the Nevada legislature and signed into law by Gov. Brian Sandoval in June [2013] toughened penalties for pimps and created new opportunities for the treatment of victims. The next step will be a change in the public's perception of the crime as well as the prostitute's perception of herself and her predicament, experts say." I am glad to read all of this information - but what caused the sudden urgency for increased legislation - in Nevada in particular?

Well, the answer to the Nevada related half of that question should be obvious - the legislation came as a result of research conducted in Reno. It started with an apparent "steady increase of sex trafficking in Northern Nevada," then leading to this "increased effort...to try and save the exploited girls and prosecute their pimps." Pimps, who are requiring the girls they pick up for the purposes of sex slavery to get identifying tattoos. Seems awfully resemblant of Auschwitz.

However, Awaken, Inc. seems to truly have identified a problem in Reno - and further into Las Vegas. The organization's staff has started a new project - to create a home for former trafficking victims right in Reno. Such a home exists in Sacramento, CA, but victims who are rescued in Reno currently have no place to live once they have been rescued.

Awaken, Inc.'s founder, Melissa Holland, is currently leading the Reno effort - her organization is actually based in Reno, and "has been raising money through private donations and a grant to build a transitional home for sex-trafficking victims in Reno."

And that's not the only good news out of Nevada. Assembly Bill 67, which went into effect on July 1, "made trafficking an adult a category B felony that carries a three-to-10 year sentence. Exploitation of a child is now a category A felony that carries a maximum life sentence."

While I cannot be certain that this new legislation, as well as the diligent effort made by Melissa Holland and her contemporaries will reduce trafficking cases across Nevada (the article also states that trafficking numbers are even higher in Las Vegas than they are in Reno - unfortunate, but not a surprise), I am pleased to see that there is a focus on trafficking, and only on trafficking (not to say that other crimes are not important). We need more Melissa Hollands.