Press Release
For Immediate Release
August 17, 2012
Contact: Sarah Hersh, Yes on
Prop 35 Campaign, 510-550-8170 (o)/ 510-759-2921 (c)
Contact: Eva Kandarpa Behrend,
Councilwoman Perry, 213-473-2308 (o)/ (213) 359-3084 (c)
Los Angeles City Council
Votes Unanimously to Support Proposition 35 – Stop Human Trafficking in
California
Los Angeles, CA – The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously today
to support Proposition 35 – Stop Human Trafficking in California. Slated for
the November 2012 ballot, Proposition 35 is an initiative that will fight
against human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of women and children in
the state. Today’s action by the City Council carries special significance
given that Los Angeles is one of three cities in the state recognized by the
FBI as high intensity child sex trafficking areas.
Los Angeles City Councilwoman
Jan Perry led the motion to support Proposition 35, saying: “By supporting Prop
35, Los Angeles is fighting back against human trafficking of vulnerable women
and children that is happening in our community. Unfortunately, Los Angeles is
a center for child sex trafficking, but we can fight back against these
terrible crimes by passing Prop 35 and putting in place tougher penalties for
human traffickers. We urge all voters in Los Angeles and throughout the state
of California to join us in supporting Prop 35.”
Chris Kelly, Founder of the Safer California Foundation, said: “As the governing body of California’s largest city, today’s vote of support from the Los Angeles City Council is significant.
Californians have the chance to take a stand against these crimes
with Proposition 35, and Los Angeles is helping to lead the way in that fight.
Together, we can fight back against human trafficking and sexual exploitation
of women and children in our state.”
The Los Angeles City Council is
the governing body of the City of Los Angeles. Founded in 1850, it consists of
fifteen elected members and serves the needs of nearly four million Los Angeles
residents.
At today’s City Council Meeting, Councilwoman Jan Perry authored the resolution
to support Prop 35 and Councilmember Tom LaBonge seconded the motion.
About Proposition 35 – Stop
Human Trafficking in California:
In California, many vulnerable
women and young girls are held against their will and forced to sell their
bodies. The victims are often girls as young as 12 who are sexually exploited
for the financial gain of human traffickers. They are afraid for their lives
and abused – sexually, physically, and mentally.
Human trafficking is said to be
one of the fastest growing criminal enterprises in the world – and it is taking
place right here in our own backyard. Three cities in California – San
Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego – are recognized by the FBI as high
intensity child sex trafficking areas. In addition, a recent national study by
a victims' rights group gave California an "F" grade for its weak
laws dealing with child sex trafficking.
Proposition 35, a partnership
of California Against Slavery and the Safer California Foundation, will protect
children in California by:
Increasing prison terms for human traffickers.
Requiring convicted sex traffickers to register as sex
offenders.
Requiring all registered sex offenders to disclose
their internet accounts.
Requiring criminal fines from convicted human
traffickers to pay for services to help victims.
Proposition 35 has also been
endorsed by organizations representing over 90,000 rank and file California
Peace Officers, advocates for the protection of children, including Marc Klaas
and the KlaasKids Foundation, and victims who survived sexual exploitation when
they were children. Prop 35 has strong bipartisan support and is endorsed by
both major political parties in California.
For comprehensive information
on Proposition 35, visit www.VoteYesOn35.com.
