The End Sex Trafficking Act of 2013, which will add federal enforcement powers against the “customers” of child prostitutes as opposed to just the sex traffickers themselves, has won the support of Arizona Representative Paul Gosar and Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne.
Congressman Gosar became involved in this issue after discussions with Horne on ways the federal government could assist the state with fighting crime solutions.
“In order to effectively address sex trafficking, we need to focus on not just the suppliers of child prostitutes but those creating the demand,” said Congressman Gosar. “This law would subject sex buyers to the same punishment as the sex trafficker where children are enslaved and victimized.”
Horne said, “My office is currently working alongside local, national and international agencies to increase penalties for pimps and seek help for victims who have no place to go. Additionally, we are ramping up efforts to stop human sex trafficking in anticipation of the 2015 Super Bowl. This is a global epidemic that requires team work across all levels, and the federal government’s law enforcement can greatly assist our efforts. I greatly appreciate the efforts of Congressman Gosar.”
H.R. 2805 expands existing legislation to allow federal law enforcement to prosecute consumers involved in international sex trafficking cases. The bill is sponsored by Congressman Ted Poe (R-Texas).
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., are offering similar legislation in the Senate to make it a federal crime to purchase sexual acts from a sex trafficker.