JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Two of Missouri’s lawmakers are pushing bills in their respective chambers to try to bring down the sex trafficking trade in the U.S., which amounts to a $9.5 billion dollar industry every year.
Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Ballwin, took a break from Washington D.C. politics today to come and testify before a Missouri House committee on HB 152, sponsored by Rep. Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield.
Haahr’s bill is aimed squarely at those who advertise for sex trafficking services online, in print, or in other mediums. Under current Missouri law, disseminating advertisements for sexual activity with a minor is not against the law. Haarh’s bill would “give prosecutors teeth,” in prosecuting these businesses and individuals.
“Between 2008 and 2012 just in Cole County, they rescued 125 victims of human trafficking,” Haahr said. “This is just the next step to keep up with the ongoing threat of this problem.”
Wagner has offered similar legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives known as the S.A.V.E. Act. Wagner’s bill contains some provisions not found in Haahr’s, which Wagner said is the result of requests from 47 Attorneys General to pass stricter laws against sex trafficking.
“An individual can actually order up a little girl to their hotel room as easily as ordering a pepperoni pizza,” Wagner said. “We’ve got to shut down those that are profiting from those who are the most vulnerable in our society.”
Haarh’s bill was heard before a packed committee today. Joining Haahr and Wagner to testify for the bill was Kimberly Ritter, director of development at the Exchange Initiative, and Nanette Ward with the Central Missouri Stop Human Trafficking Coalition. Wagner noted that St. Louis was a hotbed for sex trafficking, which she called “abhorrent” and “disgusting.”
Haarh’s bill isn’t expecting much opposition and is poised to pass through the House chamber in the coming weeks.
Collin Reischman was the Managing Editor for The Missouri Times, and a graduate of Webster University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
