Stop Human Trafficking in Pennsylvania!

From the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference

Human trafficking is modern day slavery - one person profiting from the exploitation of another. It can take the form of prostitution, slave labor, pornography or other abuses.

And it is happening here in Pennsylvania. A leading human trafficking hotline received over 2,100 calls to report suspected human trafficking in Pennsylvania alone.

Pope Francis has pointed out our personal responsibility for this scourge, saying we "must not allow these women, men and children to be treated as objects, to be deceived, raped, often sold and resold for various purposes, and in the end either killed or left devastated in mind and body, only to be finally thrown away or abandoned. It is shameful."

Pennsylvania is known as a "pass through state" whose laws and atmosphere make it easier for traffickers to carry out their heinous actions. Senate Bill 75 will address human trafficking through prosecution, prevention and protection.

 S. B. 75 - An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, extensively revising the law on human trafficking in the areas of prosecution, prevention, victim protection, evidentiary confidentiality, limitation of actions and victim impact statements; and making editorial changes. (Referred to the House Judiciary on Dec. 12, 2013)

When contacting our Governor, Lt. Governor and your Congressman about this issue, you can write your own letter, or you could use or modify the letter below:

Human trafficking violates the dignity of the person. It often involves activities such as prostitution, pornography or illegal labor practices.

Pennsylvania's current laws make it easier for traffickers to carry out their heinous actions. A leading human trafficking hotline reported over 2,100 calls to report suspected human trafficking in Pennsylvania alone.

Therefore, I ask you to represent me by supporting Senate Bill 75.

Please send your message to: 

* Governor Corbett
  555 Walnut Street, 7th Floor

  Harrisburg, PA 17101

  Phone: 717-787-2500

  Fax: 717=722-8284

  Email: Governor@pa.gov

* LIEUTENANT Governor Jim Cawley

  200 Main Capitol Building

  Harrisburg, PA 17120 Phone:

  Phone: 717-787-3300

  Fax: 717-783-0150

* your representative: (Use this link to find your State Representative)

For what it’s worth and whenever possible, I highly recommend faxing your messages as:

• Each elected official receives countless e-mails (some of which are likely dumped as spam)
• A hardcopy letter often receives greater attention than an e-mail, but unfortunately that letter often requires more time to pass through greater security before reaching the intended official.

A fax solves this problem because: it’s an “instant letter and while legislators receive fewer faxes today, their offices still have (and use) working fax machines.

Not every concerned citizen has access to a fax machine, but if you still do have one (or know someone who does), I strongly recommend this “best of both worlds” by faxing any written information to your elected officials almost every time.  (Links for Legislators have fax numbers listed in the contact information.)