Law enforcement agencies and state legislators are pushing a bill that would make human trafficking a serious crime under California’s “Three Strikes “Law.
One of the largest hubs of human trafficking is in San Diego, and the entire state of California often ranks No. 1 in the nation in trafficking cases reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
The bill’s author, state Sen. Shannon Grove, a Republican from Bakersfield, said in a recent news conference announcing the proposed legislation that “California has been the epicenter of the human trafficking problem for far too long.
The San Diego District Attorney’s office has joined other law enforcement agencies in supporting Senate Bill 1042, saying it “characterizes the crime as it truly is.”
“Most people might be surprised that this grotesque crime is not considered a serious and violent offense,” said District Attorney Summer Stephan. “This change to the law will give prosecutors across the state another tool that has more serious consequences for those who would prey on some of the most vulnerable in our communities.”
She added that the proposed law would prevent traffickers from consideration for early release or early parole for their crimes.
Marisa Ugarte, a longtime advocate for victims, said, “I have been praying for human trafficking to be considered a violent felony.” Ugarte, the executive director of the Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition, added, “our work with different victims groups shows wide support for this change in the law.”
One member of the two-woman team behind this legislative effort is District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer of Fresno. She said in a press release that “it is time that California treats human traffickers as the serious and violent felons they are by ensuring that penalties for their crimes reflect the immeasurable damage done to trafficking victims.”
Echoing her remarks, Grove said, “Human trafficking is a horrendous crime that has run rampant in our state.
Zimmer, Grove and Summers urged quick passage of the bill. Ugarte adds, she “hopes this is acted on and signed.”
The bill will be presented to the Senate Public Safety Committee and could be heard as early as March 15.
JW August is a San Diego-based broadcast and digital journalist.