Last week the human trafficking movement was given a great push forward by the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG). The much needed increase in support and awareness is thanks to Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna, the 2011-2012 President of NAAG, who has chosen human trafficking as the focus for his presidential initiative. The presidential initiative; “Pillars of Hope: Attorneys General Unite against Human Trafficking” is based on the following four pillars:
- increased coordination of victim services,
- improved methods of compiling data on state level human trafficking cases,
- stronger laws to prosecute traffickers, and
- increased public awareness.
The initiative is composed of the creation of a Presidential Leadership Council consisting of 10 Attorneys General, aided by he support of all 50 states Attorneys Generals, which thus is a major win for the increase of political will in all 50 states to increase legislation and prosecutions of human trafficking. The support and endorsement of the Attorney Generals in each state to use his/her political leverage to support passage of, and to implement, anti-trafficking laws will aid in the increased prosecutions of traffickers (pimps) and johns.
The NAAG President’s Initiative will also enable the anti-trafficking movement to improve police training efforts, to support research and data collection efforts, and provide increased victim care.
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