This week, the Arizona House of Representative passed House Bill 2454, which expands the definition of racketeering to include human trafficking and increases penalties for drawing a child into prostitution. In addition, HB2454 clarifies definitions of child prostitution and establishes an affirmative defense for victims who in the past have been prosecuted as criminals.
“Those who lure our children into prostitution must face the highest levels of punishment the law can provide,” Speaker Tobin said. “Victims of these crimes must not be lumped in with the perpetrators who profit from them.”
Rep. Doug Coleman, Republican from Apache Junction, said in an interview with Cronkite News, “I just don’t understand why we have a law that seemingly protects the demand side, the johns, because that’s really, in my opinion, what it’s designed to do.”
In addition the legislation:
•Makes obtaining a child from a shelter designed to serve runaway youth, foster children, homeless persons or victims of domestic violence an aggravating circumstance to be considered by the jury
•Prescribes an affirmative defense to child prostitution if the defendant is a victim of sex trafficking
•Prescribes advertising requirements and civil penalties for escort agency and message therapy businesses
• Authorizes monies in the state and the county anti-racketeering revolving funds to be spent on programs that provide assistance to victims