Sen. Mike Padden’s efforts to thwart those in the human-trafficking trade culminated today when the comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation he introduced this year received the governor’s signature before a crowd of supporters.
“The people of our state, especially young girls, deserve whatever protection we can give them from those who view humans as a commodity,” said Padden, R-Spokane Valley. “While the fight to end the commercial sexual exploitation of children may never end – unfortunately – this new law represents the latest round in that battle.”
Senate Bill 5669, which had strong bipartisan sponsorship, was approved unanimously by the Senate in early March and the House of Representatives in mid-April. The changes it would make to state anti-trafficking laws include expanding the definition of “communication with a minor for immoral purposes” to cover the purchase or sale of commercial sex acts and sex trafficking; adding to the definition of first- and second-degree trafficking; and making the penalties for those who patronize child prostitutes stronger.
Today’s signing ceremony drew representatives of organizations with an interest in combating traffickers and protecting life, including former Congresswoman Linda Smith, founder of the Vancouver-based anti-trafficking organization Shared Hope International, and Peggy O’Ban from Human Life of Washington.
Smith, who testified in support of the bill at a committee hearing in February, was full of praise today for Padden’s work.
“What Senator Padden is doing is what other states are grappling with: how to protect the rights of a child who has been victimized by traffickers without re-victimizing the child in the process,” Smith said.
“There are huge barriers to the prosecution of child sex-trafficking crimes because a child is often so damaged by commercial sexual abuse that it is often months or years before she is stable enough to take part in a trial,” Smith continued. “Senator Padden’s bill removes those barriers so it’s not the child who is being put on trial; it’s the buyer of sex who is on trial, rather than the child essentially being re-victimized in court.”
“In addition to reducing the chances that a child victim will have to face her pimp in court, this law will make it clear that no one can consent to being sold into sexual slavery,” added Padden, who is chairman of the Senate Law and Justice Committee. “That makes it one of the most important actions we can take during this legislative session for the children and families of our state.”
Legislators approved five bills this year concerning human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children; SB 5669 is the last to be signed. Padden co-sponsored two of the three other Senate trafficking-related bills to become law: Senate Bill 5488 adds to the penalties for someone convicted of using online advertising in connection with the crime of commercial sexual abuse of a minor; Senate Bill 5308 creates a statewide committee that will recommend strategies for combatting the commercial sexual exploitation of children.