Press ReleaseCeremonial2016-01-27

Wagner Applauds Law Enforcement Efforts, Recognizes Anniversary of Human Trafficking Law

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This press release from Representative Ann Wagner (R-MO) was published on 2016-01-27 and titled "Wagner Applauds Law Enforcement Efforts, Recognizes Anniversary of Human Trafficking Law".

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Wagner Applauds Law Enforcement Efforts, Recognizes Anniversary of Human Trafficking Law

Wagner Applauds Law Enforcement Efforts, Recognizes Anniversary of Human Trafficking Law mburris Wed, 01/27/2016 - 14:51 Image For Immediate Release Contact: Meghan Burris | (202) 225-1621 Washington, D.C. – Today marks the one-year anniversary of the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of Congresswoman Ann Wagner’s (R-MO-02) Stop Advertising Victims of Exploitation (SAVE) Act . The SAVE Act , which criminalizes the knowing advertisement of the victims of human trafficking, was included in a human trafficking legislative package that was signed into law in May, 2015. “I applaud our law enforcement officials in St. Louis and across the country for their bravery and dedication to finding predators and protecting victims of human trafficking. As trafficking transactions are increasingly happening via the Internet, I am so proud that the SAVE Act became law, criminalizing online sites that knowingly advertise victims of human trafficking,” said Congresswoman Wagner. “With tens of thousands of human trafficking victims in our country, we must do more to educate ourselves and our neighbors of these heinous crimes. I will continue to work in Congress to protect and provide a voice for both the victims and survivors.” Background on the SAVE Act: The SAVE Act is designed to criminalize knowingly advertising the victims of commercial sexual exploitation, including through the use of Internet marketplaces that host advertisements for these illegal activities. The SAVE Act amends the federal criminal code’s “offenses” section to make it unlawful for websites to knowingly distribute advertising that offers a commercial sex act in a manner prohibited under existing federal sex trafficking statutes. The protections included in the SAVE Act apply to two classes of victims: underage children and those who are being forced to engage in commercial sex acts against their will. In May 2015, as part of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (S. 178), the SAVE Act was signed into law by President Obama. This was the first time human trafficking legislation had been signed into law in 14 years. Recent Human Trafficking Arrests in St. Louis: Last year alone, there were numerous arrests in relation to sex trafficking and prostitution across Missouri, several of which occurred in St. Louis and surrounding areas. Those charged engaged in illegal activity that included but not limited to online advertising of women and children as well as luring young girls into prostitution. St. Louis man admits sex trafficking of minor, ( St. Louis Post-Dispatch ) March 9, 2015 Two suspects from Texas arrested for human trafficking in St. Louis, ( St. Louis Post-Dispatch ) July 17, 2015 East St. Louis man indicted for child sex trafficking, ( St. Louis Post-Dispatch ) July 23, 2015 Missouri couple charged with luring girls into prostitution, ( St. Louis Post-Dispatch ) August 25, 2015 Congress Number 114th Congress January 27, 2016 Press Release April 11, 2022

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Wagner Applauds Law Enforcement Efforts, Recognizes Anniversary of Human Trafficking Law Wagner Applauds Law Enforcement Efforts, Recognizes Anniversary of Human Trafficking Law mburris Wed, 01/27/2016 - 14:51 Image For Immediate Release Contact: Meghan Burris | (202) 225-1621 Washington, D.C. – Today marks the one-year anniversary of the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of Congresswoman Ann Wagner’s (R-MO-02) Stop Advertising Victims of Exploitation (SAVE) Act . The SAVE Act , which criminalizes the knowing advertisement of the victims of human trafficking, was included in a human trafficking legislative package that was signed into law in May, 2015. “I applaud our law enforcement officials in St. Louis and across the country for their bravery and dedication to finding predators and protecting victims of human trafficking. As trafficking transactions are increasingly happening via the Internet, I am so proud that the SAVE Act became law, criminalizing online sites that knowingly advertise victims of human trafficking,” said Congresswoman Wagner. “With tens of thousands of human trafficking victims in our country, we must do more to educate ourselves and our neighbors of these heinous crimes. I will continue to work in Congress to protect and provide a voice for both the victims and survivors.” Background on the SAVE Act: The SAVE Act is designed to criminalize knowingly advertising the victims of commercial sexual exploitation, including through the use of Internet marketplaces that host advertisements for these illegal activities. The SAVE Act amends the federal criminal code’s “offenses” section to make it unlawful for websites to knowingly distribute advertising that offers a commercial sex act in a manner prohibited under existing federal sex trafficking statutes. The protections included in the SAVE Act apply to two classes of victims: underage children and those who are being forced to engage in commercial sex acts against their will. In May 2015, as part of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (S. 178), the SAVE Act was signed into law by President Obama. This was the first time human trafficking legislation had been signed into law in 14 years. Recent Human Trafficking Arrests in St. Louis: Last year alone, there were numerous arrests in relation to sex trafficking and prostitution across Missouri, several of which occurred in St. Louis and surrounding areas. Those charged engaged in illegal activity that included but not limited to online advertising of women and children as well as luring young girls into prostitution. St. Louis man admits sex trafficking of minor, ( St. Louis Post-Dispatch ) March 9, 2015 Two suspects from Texas arrested for human trafficking in St. Louis, ( St. Louis Post-Dispatch ) July 17, 2015 East St. Louis man indicted for child sex trafficking, ( St. Louis Post-Dispatch ) July 23, 2015 Missouri couple charged with luring girls into prostitution, ( St. Louis Post-Dispatch ) August 25, 2015 Congress Number 114th Congress January 27, 2016 Press Release April 11, 2022