Captive Daughters' perspective on sex trafficking

As California is one of the most politically influential states in the nation, and because Captive Daughters is headquartered in California, we present a special section of our website focusing on key California anti-sex trafficking legislations, key people combating sex trafficking and the current news concerning sex trafficking within California.

Read the latest news concerning sex trafficking in California: busts, stings, investigations and reports.
- UNDERSTANDING OUR PERSPECTIVES ON SEX TRAFFICKING -

Please see the ABOUT US page to learn more of Captive Daughters' perspective on sex trafficking--both domestic and international--and the link between prostitution and sex trafficking.

- KEY LAWS, MEASURES & TASK FORCES AFFECTING SEX TRAFFICKING IN CALIFORNIA -

1. Measure AB22: California Trafficking Victims Protection Act: Authored by Assemblymember Sally Lieber (D-Mountain View) and signed into law by the Governor in September, 2005, this measure makes human trafficking a felony in California and aims to assist victims in rebuilding their lives. The measure is the most comprehensive of its kind in the nation, addressing intra-state trafficking and combining both criminal and civil remedies to combat human trafficking.

2. Senate Bill 180 (SB 180): Human Trafficking: Sponsored by State Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Los Angeles), this bill created the California Alliance to Combat Trafficking and Slavery (California ACTS) Task Force, which will raise public awareness of the issue and bring together relevant state agencies, law enforcement, and service providers to improve data collection, prosecution of traffickers, and victim protection and services. SB 180 also asks the Commission on Peace Officer Standards Training to implement training on human trafficking for peace officers in California. Such training is essential for successful detection, investigation, and prosecution of human trafficking cases.

3. The California Alliance to Combat Trafficking and Slavery (CA ACTS) Task Force: Formed by State Attorney General Bill Lockyer, the California Alliance to Combat Trafficking and Slavery (CA ACTS) Task Force was established as a result of AB 22, by Assembly Member Sally Lieber (D-Mountain View) and SB 180, by Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Los Angeles). Chaired by the Attorney General, Bill Lockyer, the CA ACTS Task Force will examine the issue and present a report for legislative review. The report, due by July 2007, will identify the scope of human trafficking in California, collect and summarize data, describe local and statewide efforts to address the issue, determine gaps in services, and make recommendations on how to improve California’s law enforcement and prosecution efforts, as well as its response to victims. As of October 15, 2008, the Crime and Violence Prevention Center within the California Attorney General's Office is no longer in operation.

4. Senate Bill 1569 (SB 1569): Human Services for Immigrant Survivors of Human Trafficking and Other Crimes: Sponsored by State Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Los Angeles), this bill would extend eligibility for certain state and local benefits, including, but not limited to, refugee cash assistance, Medi-Cal, and employment social services, to qualified noncitizen victims of trafficking, domestic violence, and other serious crimes, as defined, who can demonstrate their eligibility for these programs, as specified. It would also provide that these victims shall be eligible for state or local public benefits and services, to the same extent that persons are eligible pursuant to the federal Refugee Act of 1980. By increasing counties' responsibility for administering and determining eligibility for various services, programs, and benefits, this bill would create a state-mandated local program.

5. Senate Bil 677 (SB 677): Seizure of Property in a Human Trafficking Case: This bill allow courts to seize any property, such as house or automobile, used in the commission of human trafficking. In addition to the courts seizing property, the bill would add civil penalties of up to $25,000. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) vetoed similar legislation last year (in 2009).

6. Assembly Bill 17 (AB17): The Human Trafficking Penalties Act: Sponsored by Assemblymember Sandré Swanson (D-Oakland), and passed in October of 2009, enhances financial penalties for those convicted of human trafficking and allows law enforcement to seize assets connected to traffickers. Significantly, half of the monies collected from fines and seizures would be made solely available to community based organizations that serve underage victims of human trafficking.

- KEY LAWS AND MEASURES AFFECTING PROSTITUTION IN CALIFORNIA -

1. Measure Q: Prostitution Enforcement, City of Berkeley: This measure was voted down by 63.5% of Berkeley voters in the November 2004 election. The measure read: Shall the ordinance be adopted to: 1) make enforcement of prostitution laws the lowest priority; 2) oppose state laws making prostitution a crime; and 3) require semi-annual reporting of prostitution-related Berkeley Police Department law enforcement activities? Financial Implications: Possible increases in law enforcement costs as a result of potential increase in prostitution-related crime and increased reporting requirements.

- KEY CALIFORNIA POLITICAL & LEGAL FIGURES combating SEX TRAFFICKING -

1. (Former) State Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Los Angeles): Sponsored Senate Bill 180 which created the California Alliance to Combat Trafficking and Slavery (California ACTS) Task Force; this bill was signed into law by the Governor in 2005. She introduced SB 1569 which provides State government assistance to immigrant victims of trafficking and other crimes.

2. (Former) State Assemblymember Sally Lieber (D-Mountain View): Authored measure AB22: California Trafficking Victims Protection Act that made trafficking a felony in California; AB22 was signed into law in 2005.

3. (Former) California Attorney General Bill Lockyer, Currently State Treasurer: During the week of March 24 2006, Lockyer convened the first meeting of a statewide task force to address the emerging issue of human trafficking, a crime involving captives many of them non English speaking women and children who are forced to work against their will in sweatshops, prostitution rings, farm labor, private homes and other enterprises under deplorable conditions. "Human trafficking and forced labor is not only unconscionable, it is illegal," said Lockyer. "It is my hope that this task force can identify ways to strengthen California's ability to combat this inhumane and hidden crime."

4. State Senator Elaine Alquist (D-San Jose): Co-authored SB 180 with fellow Senators Kuehl and Bowen. Also authored SB 1128: Sex Offender Punishment, Control, and Containment Act of 2006.

5. California Secretary of State Debra Bowen: Co-authored SB 180 with fellow Senators Kuehl and Alquist. Also authored SB 1062: Victims of crime: domestic violence and sexual assault.

6. Assemblymember Sandré Swanson (D-Oakland): Sponsored AB17 which financially penalizes human traffickers; it was passed in October 2009.

What is Governor Schwarzenegger doing to combat sex trafficking in California?

• Governor's Office Press Release, Oct. 11, 2009: Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Legislation to Combat Human Trafficking - this refers to AB17.

• Governor's Office Press Release Sept. 21, 2005: Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Legislation to Combat Human Trafficking - this refers to AB22.

*Have something to say to Gov. Schwarzenegger about sex trafficking in California? Contact his office:

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633

To send an email please visit:
http://www.govmail.ca.gov

Dear Zontians,

So our newest member has been inducted along with your executive officers. In the past year we spent a

lot of time focused on recruiting for our chartering. Recruitment is still on our list of goals but we are also

focused on where the club is going and what our goals will be for the next year. I am very excited about

this next year. I want to see the club grow and continue to diversify our membership, but also continue to

become more organized and focused on the mission of Zonta in our community. One way to accomplish

this is to create a ZCGS Endowment Fund. This allows donations to the Fund to become tax deductable

and allows or club to grow. Expect to hear more.

Human Trafficking is the advocacy issue we want to be in the forefront for the Zonta 2010-2011

year. It can be a very disturbing issue since it is something many of us believe to be something that hap-

pens to someone else and never to us in the California state capitol of Sacramento. It’s extremely impor-

tant for everyone to be aware of the risks and impact, and education is the best defense for you and your

family.

Having said Human Trafficking is not the only issue our club has in it’s sights, we will continue to join with

other local organizations advancing the status of women. The “Girls Night In” at the SAEHC

(Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center for Women) is a wonderful opportunity to provide a safe

and entertaining environment for the women at the center. We are considering a movie night with popcorn

or maybe collage night with pizza. At the August meeting we will be asking for you to bring toilet paper to

be donated to the SAEHC. Do you know how much toilet paper it takes to sustain four people for one

month?

Advancing the status of women includes teaching women how to defend themselves. When I say

women I mean current women and future women, this is a class for all ages. Last year we hosted a self

defense class with Lisa Dienes from Robinson’s Tae Kwon Do. Lisa is a very dynamic and passionate per-

son and holds a 4th degree black belt. This was an amazing one hour class that gave the basics of self

defense for women, no matter their size, to be able to defend themselves against

someone three times their size. Expect to see this in conjunction with Denim Day.

In Sisterhood,

Patti Wilson

ZCGS President