The Stop Enabling Online Sex Trafficking Act

Press Release

Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing criminal enterprises in the world. More than 20 million people in our nation, and around the globe, are subjected to this modern day form of slavery.

Women and girls are disproportionately affected. According to the International Labor Organization, 55% of total victims worldwide are women and girls. Tragically, children are frequently targeted. The perpetrators trap their victims in unconscionable and violent situations, forcing them to commit sexual acts against their will.

This practice occurs in nearly every zip code. It is happening closer to home than we realize.

A report, published by Creighton University and the Women's Fund of Omaha, found there are 900 individuals for sale online every month in Nebraska--almost all of them female.

In 2015, Congress passed the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act and it was signed into law. I was proud to be a cosponsor of this important legislation. The bill set up a deficit-neutral fund to support trafficking victims. Through enhanced reporting and mechanisms to reduce demand, this law provides care for victims of trafficking and child pornography. Importantly, the law also protects victims in court by treating traffickers as violent criminals. Labeling traffickers in this way means that convicts can now be detained while awaiting judicial proceedings.

At home, Nebraskans are also rallying together and taking action to stop human trafficking. This past January, Nebraska Attorney General Douglas Peterson launched Demand an End, a public awareness campaign to stop child sex trafficking. This campaign aims to build on the momentum from Legislative Bill 289, passed by the Nebraska Unicameral, which significantly heightened penalties for those perpetrating and profiting from human, labor, and sex trafficking.

I am proud to have joined the Demand an End campaign and offer my support of AG Peterson's work on this front. While I was a member of Nebraska's Unicameral, from 2005 until 2013, our state made several important legislative strides to address key policies related to human trafficking.

Fortunately, Congress is now building on these collective efforts at the federal level.

Recently, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed H.R. 1865, comprehensive anti-sex trafficking legislation that contains the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA). The House of Representatives previously passed H.R. 1865, and now it's headed to President Trump's desk to be signed into law.

So how does SESTA help combat sex trafficking?

Sadly, the murky edges of the internet are still enabling predators all over the world to engage in sex trafficking. Websites like Backpage.com continue to sell and exploit people for profit.

The internet has given criminals an avenue to commit these crimes, and certain websites are knowingly facilitating their activities as part of an organized network. Compounding the issue, smart phones make it easier for traffickers to complete transactions.

SESTA would ensure that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act can't be used as an excuse anymore for websites that knowingly facilitate sex trafficking. It also would give state law enforcement clear authority to enforce criminal statutes against websites. I have been dismayed to hear about the obstacles that state law enforcement have faced when attempting to prosecute entities knowingly participating in trafficking activities online.

In its current form, Section 230 protects websites and internet service providers from liability for content their users create. This has allowed websites that depend on user content, like Twitter and Youtube, to flourish. But it has been misused to effectively provide impunity for bad actors maintaining websites that facilitate sex trafficking.

SESTA is critical to empowering survivors, and providing the legal tools needed to seek and receive justice from all those involved in these horrific crimes.

Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.

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