On Thursday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey took a significant step in combating human trafficking by signing a new legislation that imposes harsher criminal penalties on individuals convicted of this heinous crime. Under the new law, anyone involved in trafficking a minor in Alabama will face the prospect of a life sentence, reflecting the seriousness of this offense.
Governor Ivey declared on Twitter that HB42, also known as The Sound of Freedom Act, has now become the most stringent anti-human trafficking law in the country. She expressed her pride in signing this bill into law and commended Representative Givens for introducing and guiding this critical legislation.
The penalty for first-degree human trafficking will be increased to a mandatory life imprisonment sentence when the victim is a minor, according to the new law. This legislation was requested by Gov. Ivey during her state of the state address.
The recently enacted legislation, known as the Sound of Freedom Act, takes its inspiration from a compelling film that brought the issue of human trafficking to the forefront of public consciousness nationwide.
“Governor Ivey emphasized that human trafficking of minors is an incredibly cruel and distressing crime in America. Given that the most vulnerable individuals are the ones who suffer, she firmly believes that those responsible for such heinous acts should be subjected to the most severe punishments.”
Law enforcement agencies across the nation have been facing challenges in combating the alarming rise of human trafficking. This heinous crime seeks to harm and exploit innocent victims, and unfortunately, Alabama has not been exempt from its grasp. However, a resolute determination to put an end to the actions of these human traffickers is now underway.
According to Governor Ivey, Alabama is taking a firm stance against human trafficking, particularly involving minors. The state is now leading the nation in implementing the harshest punishment for those convicted of first-degree human trafficking of a minor. Governor Ivey emphasized that these criminals will face nothing less than life imprisonment, sending a strong message that harming children in Alabama will not be tolerated. This tough penalty aims to make potential traffickers think twice before engaging in such heinous acts.
“I am proud to have signed the Sound of Freedom Act into law, as it allows Alabama to take a leading role in safeguarding children from these terrible crimes,” Ivey stated. She also expressed her admiration for Representative Donna Givens for introducing and guiding this crucial legislation to its final approval.”
The bill states that an individual is guilty of first-degree human trafficking if they meet the following criteria:
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- He or she knowingly subjects another person to labor servitude or sexual servitude.
- He or she knowingly obtains, recruits, entices, solicits, induces, threatens, isolates, harbors, holds restrains, transports, provides, or maintains any minor for the purpose of causing a minor to engage in sexual servitude.
- He or she knowingly gives, or attempts to give, monetary consideration or any other thing of value to engage in any sexual conduct with a minor or an individual he or she believes to be a minor.
Defendants are not required to have knowledge of a minor victim’s age, and their lack of knowledge or a reasonable mistake of age does not serve as a defense to liability.
Human trafficking has become one of the most rapidly expanding criminal enterprises in the world. The demand for girls and young women to engage in sex acts, be it in person or online, knows no bounds. Additionally, there is an insatiable demand for labor in this illicit industry.
