Last year, I had the honor of receiving a briefing from some of the forensic nurses at Bon Secours (pictured below) where they detailed the tragic stories human trafficking going on right here in the 7^th District. Local law enforcement even recently apprehended a man for selling his own wife online using a website known as Backpage.com. Simply put, while we may not realize it as we go about our everyday lives, this horrible, pervasive crime affects every part of America. I wanted to provide you with an update on a new law we passed earlier this year to fight human trafficking.

The internet has become the storefront for the human trafficking trade. Sadly, law enforcement had not been able to prevent websites from selling women and children.

That’s why I worked with Rep. Ann Wagner of Missouri to pass the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act. The legislation, known as FOSTA, gives federal, state and local prosecutors the tools to hold websites accountable for supporting the sale of sex trafficking victims.

FOSTA is already having a direct impact. Since its passage just three months ago, the Department of Justice has been able to shut down scores of sex trafficking websites. Others have been forced to move offshore. Banks have been able to close the accounts of internet traffickers. And experts believe online demand for commercials sex has been driven down significantly. LEARN MORE about FOSTA here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1865/text/rh?

Real people are being helped. Victim shelters are reporting double the intake of self-referrals making beds in shelters difficult to find.

For more information, please WATCH this video:

Sincerely,