Inganamort renews calls to fight human trafficking
07/30/2024
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| In recognition of the United Nations’ 10th annual World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Assemblyman Michael Inganamort is again calling for stiff penalties for those who exploit and abuse others for financial gain.
The assemblyman has two bills, one which would expand the crime of human trafficking to include those who benefit financially (A198) and the other which prevents minors from electronically accessing obscene materials and escort sites (A3819). His bills have been introduced and referred to the Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee.
“Today we remember that modern-day slavery exists and that we must use every means to combat this crime against children, women and men,” Inganamort (R-Sussex, Morris, Warren) said. “We need to protect the vulnerable from becoming victims, and punish those who would harm others in this way.” |
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| Second only to the illicit drug trade, human trafficking is an international, multi-billion-dollar shadow economy, generating $150 billion annually, according to anti-trafficking groups. The National Human Trafficking Hotline reports in New Jersey 3,882 identified victims since 2007, 466 of those in 2021, the hotline’s most recent statistics. Globally, there are 27.6 million modern-day slaves, with upwards of 800,000 persons trafficked across borders annually.
New Jersey’s last major update to its human trafficking laws came in the lead-up to the 2014 Super Bowl at the Meadowlands – a nod to the perspective that human trafficking may spike around major, multi-state events. New Jersey will be hosting the World Cup in Summer 2026.
“New Jersey soon will be at the center of the world’s stage. Let’s lead the way and show traffickers that we’re serious about stopping their exploitation, we’re serious about protecting minors against would-be predators,” Inganamort added. “It’s time for us to get serious about ending modern-day slavery.”
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