A Giant Step Closer to Restoring Rights for Victims of Online Sex Trafficking

Yesterday the U.S. House of Representatives passed an historic legislative package to fight online sex trafficking, by a vote of 388 to 25. The legislation included H.R. 1865 the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA), sponsored by Rep. Ann Wagner, and an amendment sponsored by Rep. Mimi Walters which incorporated the vital reforms contained in S. 1693 the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA), sponsored by Senators Portman, Blumenthal, and McCaskill.

The National Center on Sexual Exploitation applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing this legislative package which, if also passed by the Senate, will restore rights to victims of sex trafficking and empower states Attorneys General to prosecute powerful sex traffickers.

People are not objects to be sold online.

We are grateful to House Leadership, including Speaker Paul Ryan and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, and Representatives Ann Wagner, Carolyn Maloney, Mimi Walters, Chris Smith, Joyce Beatty, Sheila Jackson Lee, and Martha Roby, as well as all the members of the House of Representatives, who cast their votes in support of this fundamental principle. Yesterday’s historic vote puts us on the cusp of restoring rights to victims of sex trafficking and empowering state Attorneys General to prosecute the kingpins of sex trafficking.

Now all eyes turn toward the U.S. Senate. Senators must join with the U.S. House of Representatives, survivors, Attorneys General from 48 States, a state legislature, celebrities, and advocacy groups from across the country in standing with victims of sex trafficking. We hope they live up to their duty to protect the vulnerable.

To learn more about the Communications Decency Act and its role in facilitating online sex trafficking visit endsexualexploitation.org/cda.