Push Against Human Trafficking This Month

January is national “Human Trafficking Awareness” month with recognition that the Super Bowl (February 4) is the largest single event in the U.S. that draws human traffickers who exploit their victims for profit. Farmville United Methodist Women are wearing red to symbolize their push to move through the goalposts toward victory against the horrendous crime of human
trafficking. “Red Zone” is a football term for the area between the 20-yard line and the goal of the opposing team. We want to be in the “Red Zone” to score against human trafficking. We are also encouraging our federal legislators to pass Senate Bill 1693 “Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act” (SESTA), which has bi-partisan support. Senator Rob Portman (R- OH) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CN) are sponsoring this bill. Sex trafficking occurs with alarming frequency on the “dark web”, particularly Backpage.com which accepts ads for sex partners/experiences. Many of these ads offer underage victims being held against their will. Backpage.com claims no responsibility, nor has it been held responsible, thus far. Backpage.com says the content on their website isn’t of their creation, but ads/postings from other entities, thus they cannot be held accountable. The 21-year-old Federal Communications Decency Act protects them at this point, but Senate Bill 1693 will hold them accountable.