To the Editor:
Survivors of human trafficking are being revictimized by the criminal justice system in the state of Michigan. In our state, we have passed laws to protect survivors of human trafficking who are 17 years old or younger from obtaining criminal charges such as prostitution- but what about adults who are being trafficked? House Bill 6159 of 2018 had set out to change that.
The goal of this bill was to protect survivors of human trafficking from obtaining criminal charges for non-violent crimes committed while being trafficked. It is understandable for some to hear that this bill would prevent and expunge non-violent crimes from a survivors record and think “hmm, but if they committed a crime, shouldn’t they be charged?” However, we now know that it is common for someone being trafficked to be forced to commit crimes by their trafficker. We now know that traffickers use drugs to control their victim. We now know that traffickers will force their victims to steal items for them under the threat of violence—or even death. So, now that we know the extent of human trafficking, why aren’t we doing more to help these survivors? These criminal charges have serious impact on their lives, it can prevent them from getting jobs, housing, and government assistance so that they can try to regain a semblance of a more normal life.
The bill died in December 2018 without being voted on. This is very unfortunate, as a new bill has yet to be introduced in 2019. The longer this bill goes without being reintroduced, the more survivors are at risk for this continued revictimization.
What can be done? Support this bill. Contact your state elected official and ask them to support this bill. Tell them that you are a voter in their area and that you want them to support House Bill 6159. Reach out to state Sen. Erika Geiss, who was in talks about picking up and reintroducing this bill after it died. Ask her to sponsor this bill and reintroduce it. Do not let our wonderful state continue to revictimize these survivors.
Stephanie Shaw, MSW
Stephanie Shaw is a former WCC student who’s graduating from MSU within weeks.
