prostitution Archives • Alabama Political Reporter

Economic downturn sees uptick in possible sex trafficking recruitment

Tuesday, the Child Trafficking Solutions Project and the Children’s Policy Cooperative of Jefferson County issued a statement warning that there is a noticeable increase in Craigslist postings for possible human trafficking purposes due to the coronavirus economic impact. “If you see any such postings on Craigslist or any social media sites, please screen shot and … Continued

March 25, 2020

Two human trafficking bills pass the Legislature

The Alabama legislature unanimously passed two bi-partisan human trafficking bills Friday. House bills 261 and 262 were sponsored by State Representative Merika Coleman (D-Birmingham), and State Senator Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) guided both through the Senate. The bills are now in Governor Kay Ivey’s (R) office for her consideration. HB261 requires that all new commercial driver … Continued

June 4, 2019

Sex trafficking expert says House bill that shames buyers is an effective tool

Friday, the Alabama Political Reporter spoke to Geoff Rogers, the CEO and co-founder of the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking (USIAHT) about the growing human trafficking problem in our society and the best methods to combat the booming sex trafficking industry. The USIAHT fights sex trafficking and seeks to end trafficking through education and by … Continued

May 27, 2019

Human trafficking bills pass state House

The State House unanimously passed three bills on Wednesday and Thursday aimed at combating human trafficking. Rep. Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham, Assistant Minority Leader, and Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, Education Policy Chair, co-sponsored the bills. “This is a great step in continuing the fight against human trafficking,” Coleman said. “The unanimous, bi-partisan passage of all three … Continued

May 24, 2019

Human trafficking remains an Alabama problem

The Republican Women of Shelby County were briefed on Saturday on the human trafficking problem in Alabama by Detective Trent Kempster with the Tuscaloosa Police Department. Kempster heads the West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force, the largest human-trafficking task force in the state. He has 23 years of law enforcement experience, including working narcotics. The … Continued

May 20, 2019

Alabama Human Trafficking Summit planned for Friday

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter The Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force will host the 4th Annual Alabama Human Trafficking Summit on Friday at the Embassy Suites in Montgomery. The Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force was created by Joint House Resolution 270 passed by the Alabama Legislature in April of 2014. The Task Force was charged … Continued

February 7, 2018

Human Trafficking Conference Held in Montgomery

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Friday, February 3, 2017, the Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force hosted the Human Trafficking Summit in Montgomery to educate social workers and Law Enforcement officers about the growing human trafficking problem in the US. Fort Lauderdale Police Detective Richard Love (ret) spent a career investigating and prosecuting people who … Continued

February 21, 2017

Legislature Passes Safe Harbor Act

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Tuesday, May 3, the Alabama Senate passed House Bill 433, the Safe Harbor Act. HB433 was sponsored by State Representative Jack Williams (R-Vestavia) and was recommended by the Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force. Rep. Williams said late Tuesday, “HB433, The Safe Harbor Act has passed the Alabama State Senate. … Continued

May 4, 2016

House Passes Bill to Get Tough on Prostitution

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter On Thursday, April 7, the Alabama House of Representatives passed the Safe Harbor Act, House Bill 433, which is sponsored by State Representative Jack Williams (R-Vestavia). Rep. Williams wrote in a statement, “This bill protects child victims of human trafficking and increases the penalties on individuals who seek to … Continued

April 8, 2016