Kohl-Welles legislation to offer confidentiality to human trafficking victims

OLYMPIA — Washington shares national borders with Canada, has multiple ports, and is a major agricultural exporter – all of which make it a particularly attractive destination for human traffickers to ply their despicable trade. Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, has been working to combat the issue of human trafficking for six years, and is one of the champions behind Washington’s role as national leader in addressing the problem.

This session, Kohl-Welles has introduced legislation addressing confidentiality of victims of human trafficking, based on a 2005 study by the Anti-Trafficking Task Force. Because trafficking victims have escaped abuse, it is critical that the address of their new location – whether it is home, work or school – be kept confidential.

Senate Bill 6339 in scheduled for public hearing into the Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 15, at 1:30 pm in Senate Hearing Room 1.

This bill adds victims of trafficking under our state trafficking laws to the address confidentiality program overseen by the office of the Secretary of State, which currently protects victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. It also enables state and local agencies to respond to requests for public records without disclosing the location of the victim.

Child trafficking survivor, Rani Hong, who has been working with Kohl-Welles on this and other legislation related to human trafficking, will provide testimony at the hearing. Hong will present a video which highlights the devastating effect this abuse has on its victims, featuring two victims who currently live in Washington.

Hong and husband Trong Hong – also a child trafficking survivor – formed the Tronie Foundation, a non-profit organization to help build shelters for children and women who are the victims of abuse or trafficking all around the world. Basic services include safe accommodation, food, clothing and other personal items. Their newest shelter in Washington will be opening soon, and is the first of its kind in the NW, and one of the first of its kind in the USA that specifically helps Human Trafficking Survivors.

“There is a real issue here, and Washington State has taken the lead,” said Hong. “We must keep fighting.”

Kohl-Welles and Hong will be available to the press to answer questions following the hearing in Sen. Kohl-Welles’ office, J.A. Cherberg 219.

In 2007, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution making Jan. 11 a day to raise awareness about human trafficking. Friday, marked the first occasion of National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness.

On Friday, Feb. 1, Kohl-Welles and Hong will observe the first Annual National Freedom Day with a press conference to discuss further options the state can take in preventing human trafficking and providing services for its victims.

Facts about human trafficking legislation:

• In October 2000, the United States enacted the most comprehensive modern-day anti-slavery legislation in the world, offering prevention, prosecution and victim protection strategies, called the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000.
• In 2002, Washington became the first state in the country to pass state wide trafficking legislation, appointing its own anti-trafficking task force and requiring protections of mail-order brides brought into the state.
• In 2003, the state became the first to criminalize trafficking and expanded the mail-order bride protections in 2003.
• In 2005, Senator Kohl-Welles sponsored legislation, which was signed into law, that would help victims of human trafficking access vital social and health services and enforce their rights as crime victims.

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