Wyoming is one step closer to passing legislation that would officially make human trafficking punishable by law in the state.
House Bill 133 is currently on the agenda for state legislators and would define human trafficking acts more clearly, specify penalties and provide assistance to human trafficking victims.
“The first part would make trafficking punishable by law on our state books. It would also help victims of those crimes find justice,” International Justice Mission Wyoming Advocacy Leader Daniel DeCecco said.
“Coming out of trafficking can be difficult and victims need all the help they can get,” DeCecco said
One issue with the lack of Wyoming’s human trafficking laws is that victims of sex trafficking can technically be prosecuted as prostitutes because there is no legislation that would designate them as victims.
If the bill is passed, Wyoming will be the last state to incorporate human trafficking legislation in its law books. House Bill 133 would enable local and state authorities to handle human trafficking cases in Wyoming, which are currently being turned over to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
“State level trafficking laws are new and began in about 2004 and then one-by-one states started coming forth. Massachusetts and West Virginia are the latest to pass laws, but Wyoming is still the only state that does not have any piece of human trafficking legislation,” DeCecco said.
The bill was introduced last Friday and has received great support from both Democrats and Republicans, according to DeCecco.
“We hope these laws will let victims know that they can come forth and be in good hands,” Davianne Vanderpool, IJM public relations leader, said.
Even with Wyoming being such a rural state, human trafficking is still a concern, particularly due to its interstate and highway access.
“Throughout the past few years, we’ve heard of some forced prostitution at truck stops, especially with I-80 running straight through the state,” Vanderpool said. “Unfortunately, it’s such a terrible thing that it’s kept so quiet so it happens a lot more than we realize. We want to stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves.”
DeCecco says that sometimes human trafficking can be even more of a problem in Wyoming because it is so rural.
“People can be exploited more easily in Wyoming because it’s a more rural state. Especially if you’re in a more rural county and things go unnoticed easier,” he said.
Sexual exploitation, forced labor and forced prostitution are just some examples of human trafficking. In some cases in Wyoming, ranchers will bring in workers from other countries and take their visas away so they can’t go anywhere, DeCecco said.
“Sex trafficking I think is what scares people the most, but all sides of it are prevalent,” DeCecco said.
In order to gain support for the bill, a press conference for Wyoming Lobbying Day to End Trafficking to ask for support for the bill will be held at 9 a.m. on Jan. 25 at the Capitol Building in Cheyenne.
“I think it will be a great way to show people they can do something to make a difference,” DeCecco said. “Even 20 to 30 students could make a difference.”
