Stricter Laws, Stronger Supports To Counter Human Trafficking

An advocate shares advice for county officials seeking to combat human trafficking at this year’s Women of MACo Lunch. 

 

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Lisae Jordan addresses the Women of MACo on legal, administrative, and social hurdles to ending human trafficking.

Lisae Jordan, Executive Director & Counsel of the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault spoke at the luncheon, which was hosted and moderated by Baltimore County Council President Vicki Almond as the President of the Women of MACo.

 

Jordan was happy to raise the profile of human trafficking among local government officials and shared several examples of local government legislative best practices that could be implemented in each Maryland county.

 

Examples

  • Montgomery County CB-39-15 (Prohibits prostitution and allows police officers to issue citations for solicitors of human trafficking)
  • –Prince George’s County CB-79-2014 (Human Trafficking- Lodging Establishments- Room Rentals); –Prince George’s County CB-80-2014 (Human Trafficking- Lodging Establishments- Employee Training); –CB-81-2014 (Human Trafficking- Massage Establishments); CB-59-2016 (This makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly allow use of an apartment or home for prostitution or trafficking)

Jordan also shared information about grant programs available from the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention and stated that the biggest problem in Maryland is a lack of services for victims of human trafficking,

“I can go to more meetings about human tracking than I can find service providers.”

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Attendees at the Women of MACo Lunch focused on local actions and needs to counter human trafficking.

The topic of resource gaps filled the discussion following Jordan’s presentation.

Many attending the luncheon took notes during Jordan’s presentation and stayed afterwards to discuss a path forward on countering human trafficking in their counties.

For more information, contact Lisae Jordan and register for the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault January 17 Legislative Reception.