Find Out About Hawaii's
2012 Human Trafficking Bills!
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Hearing Alert!
HB 2234 - Safe Harbor
HB 2235 - Vacating Convictions
passed their first hearing on
Monday, January 30th 2012
Call Rep. Gilbert Keith Agaran
and kindly urge him to schedule
these bills for hearing.
Contact Rep. Keith Agaran
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About the Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery (PASS)
The Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery (PASS), is a Hawaii-based not-for-profit 501(c)3 whose mission is to stop Human-Trafficking in Hawaii and the Pacific. PASS provides services and advocacy for survivors of Human-Trafficking, education and training on the identification of victims of Human-Trafficking, and public awareness and prevention education for the greater community.
PASS works holistically to combat Human-Trafficking, building alliances with public interest legal services, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), churches, non-profit community organizations, domestic violence shelters, educational institutions, and law enforcement.
PASS is a firmly abolitionist alliance committed to ending human trafficking, the modern-day form of slavery, and is primarily concerned with helping the survivors of sex-trafficking while advocating for the strict prosecution of pimps and "johns."
Excerpt from "Very Young Girls" www.gems-girls.org
YOU CAN HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
For Educators: Find out more about implementing Sexual Exploitation Prevention & Awareness curriculum for your classes! - CLICK HERE
Combatting Sex-Trafficking in Hawaii
Hawaii is driven by a tourist-based economy which attracts sex-traffickers looking to establish territory to capitalize on the market of male travelers and transient military personnel. The fight against the growing problem of sex-trafficking in Hawaii is an important battle for many reasons.
Currently, Human Trafficking is the 2nd highest lucrative criminal activity in the world, surpassing illegal arms dealing and second only to international drug trafficking.
This year (2011) Hawaii finally passed its first anti Human-Trafficking laws. The states remaining without human trafficking laws are: Alabama, South Dakota, Ohio, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Wyoming, West Virginia.
Even though passing laws to address Human-Trafficking have been realized in the state of Hawaii, the battle has just begun. Further collaboration and education is needed to successfully combat trafficking. It takes a community to win the battle against human-traffickers and PASS is very hopeful for the future. United we can STOP Human-Trafficking in Hawaii and we are convinced that, through committment and working together, Hawaii's island communities can end trafficking in the state within 10 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the link between Sex-Trafficking and Prostitution?
- What are the differences between Legalizing/Regulating Prostitution, Decriminalizing Prostitution, and the Abolition of Prostitution?
- Does the legalization/regulation of prostitution really work to reduce crime and abuse?
- What is the definition of human trafficking?
- What should local legislation focus on?
NEW LAWS
Hawaii's governor signed HB141 (labor-trafficking) and HB240 (promoting prostitution law reform) into law (Act 145 and Act 146, respectively)!
See a recap of hearings/testimonies
What do the new laws mean?