Each year we as senators are called upon to address issues in our state. Sometimes we get lucky, and with one simple piece of legislation we can settle a technical or legal question and make life easier for our citizens.
However, we know ending the trafficking of human beings in Washington will be anything but easy.
It's difficult to explain just how serious the problem of human trafficking is in our state. Statistics tell part of the story, but what hits home with us are the gut-wrenching stories we hear from victims who come to the Capitol.
Some became trapped in child-sex rings. Some are tricked into entering a relationship with a man they only later find out is a pimp. Others are runaways who stumble into the underground world of human trafficking and can't get out, forced into modern-day slavery by threats or force. Still more are brought into the country as migrant workers, becoming victims as they try to make a better life for themselves and their family.
Fortunately, a large bipartisan group of legislators is committed to battling this problem. The philosophical and geographical differences that may separate us on other issues are no factor; we all feel passionately about helping these innocent victims and holding the perpetrators of these crimes accountable.
During the past 10 years we've learned the only way to do that is to go after the lowlifes and, as we learn more about their tactics, respond with new laws.
With that strategy in mind, legislators are sponsoring more than a dozen bills this year. We are the prime sponsors of three of these measures, which have all passed the Senate unanimously.
Senate Bill 6258 would expand the criminal definition of "luring" unaccompanied minors to include transportation facilities. Many pimps use bus terminals to lie in wait for unaccompanied minors arriving in a new city. They pretend to be friendly, but in reality, they often lead new victims into the world of human trafficking.
Senate Bill 6254 would address the horrific cases we have heard about mentally-disabled individuals being taken advantage of by traffickers.
Persons charged with prostitution must prove they were forced before they can be considered victims of human trafficking. This bill removes that requirement when the victim is mentally disabled.
Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 6260 would increase the penalties for first-degree traffickers 10 times over, to $3,000, with each additional offense bringing an even higher cost.
It is our hope that this bill will make pimps decide that sex trafficking is too costly.
Even though we're sometimes reminded of that carnival game, in which whacking one rodent only causes another to pop up from a different hole, we have to believe that the cumulative weight of these efforts will make human trafficking a less lucrative crime.
This fight takes dedication and new legislation year after year, but it's a fight we are determined to win.
-- Sen. Jerome Delvin, R-Richland, is a former law enforcement officer of 30 years. Sen. Val Stevens, R-Arlington, is minority leader for the Senate Human Services and Corrections Committee.
