Human trafficking victim protection bill passes Senate

OLYMPIA — On Feb. 1, 1865, President Lincoln signed the 13th Amendment outlawing slavery. Fast forward one hundred and forty three years later to today: implausibly, people are still being enslaved in this country.

It’s called human trafficking. Today there are over 17,000 people a year smuggled into the country and sold into bondage. These victims are held against their will, abused and forced into involuntary servitude. Those victims who find a way to escape their captor go into hiding and live in constant fear of being found and re-captured.

In a bi-partisan effort to address this issue, Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle and Sen. Dan Swecker, R-Rochester, sponsored Senate Bill 6339, adding victims of human trafficking to the Secretary of State’s address confidentiality program that protects the addresses of victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and stalking.

“I am proud to be carrying on the efforts of other legislators and advocates,” said Kohl-Welles. “I would like to thank former state representative, Velma Valoria, and former senator, Jeralita Costa for introducing legislation to form the Washington State Task Force Against the Trafficking of Persons, which is now in its third iteration.”

The Senate overwhelmingly passed this legislation Friday, Feb. 1. It has been referred to the House Human Services Committee.

On Thursday, Jan. 31, Kohl-Welles presented Senate Resolution 8713, which recognizes the efforts of former legislators, human rights advocates and the many organizations who have led the fight against the scourge of human trafficking.

Child trafficking victim, Rani Hong from the Tronie Foundation, is one of the victims advocates honored in the resolution. She has worked with Kohl-Welles for over six years on human trafficking bills, and recently testified on SB 6339 before the Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee, showing a video that highlights the devastating affects on the victims.

“I’m so excited to be working with legislators on this issue and to see all the progress we’ve made,” said Hong. “And, I’m so proud that Washington is taking the lead.”

In commemoration of National Freedom Day, the day our country recognizes the signing of the 13th Amendment, the TronieFoundation held a press conference Friday morning to discuss the strides made in combating human trafficking and further action needed to protect victims in Washington. Along with Kohl-Welles, Swecker and Hong, speakers also included Marty Brown, from the Governor’s Office and Bev Emery, lead on the Community Trade & Economic Development’s Trafficking Task Force.

“Through the combined efforts of those recognized in the resolution and legislation addressing the issue through the years, Washington has become the leader in this human rights battle,” said Kohl-Welles.

Hong also announced the opening of the first shelter in western Washington that provides a safe haven to help human trafficking survivors overcome their abuse and learn how to be independent and self-sufficient.

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