LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A Nebraska lawmaker is continuing her fight against human trafficking with proposals to improve coordination among groups that support victims and to make state law more similar to other states.
Sen. Amanda McGill of Lincoln has introduced two bills relating to human trafficking, which will be heard by the Judiciary Committee on Thursday.
One bill creates a coordinator who would oversee effort to help victims and prevent human trafficking, defined as recruiting or harboring a person for forced labor or commercial sex acts.
The new coordinator would be tasked with creating a website for visitors to see what is happening in their communities and to see services for victims, McGill said. The coordinator would also apply for grants to help human trafficking victims in the state.
The other bill would make Nebraska law more similar to other states and would help define human trafficking, McGill said. The bill includes language that makes it a felony to control or threaten to control a person’s access to a controlled substance as a way to engage in human trafficking.
It’s unclear how much the bills would cost the state.
The Legislature has passed measures dealing with human trafficking in previous sessions, including legislation that created a human trafficking task force and prevents minors from being charged with prostitution. McGill introduced both bills.
McGill has seen progress when it comes to awareness of the issue, even though she said there is more work to do.
“What we’re seeing is that there are so many people who want to be engaged and involved and provide services but there isn’t a single person to coordinate those efforts,” McGill said.
There are no clear numbers as to the extent of the problem, but Nebraska organizations that serve victims said the situation is serious.
Amy Richardson, president and CEO of the Women’s Center for Advancement in Omaha, said her group has helped about 30 victims of sex trafficking since last June. The organization provides services such as a domestic violence support groups and career help.
All of the victims the organization has served so far have had children, Richardson said.
Human trafficking victims come to them with nowhere to live and nothing but the clothes on their back, she said.
After finding the victim the basic essentials and medical care if needed, the Women’s Center for Advancement will start assessing the victim’s emotional and legal needs, such as getting custody of her child, Richardson said.
The Salvation Army has also served a number of victims of human trafficking through its different programs, said Linda Burkle, divisional social services director. Burkle oversees social services in Nebraska, South Dakota and western Iowa.
The victims did not identify themselves as victims of human trafficking, but the Salvation Army found out they were victims in the course of treatment, she said.
Human trafficking victims don’t always see themselves as victims, said Burkle, a member of the human trafficking task force. In the victim’s mind, the trafficker might be her boyfriend, the love of her life, Burkle said.
Right now, the effort to reduce human trafficking is a grassroots movement, said Al Riskowski, executive director of the Nebraska Family Alliance and a member of the task force.
A coordinator with a website could serve as a central area to distribute information, he said. People can be confused as to what is happening in the state, he said.
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The bill to change legal statute is LB933. The bill to create the coordinator is LB934.
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