The Polaris Project has just recently issued their state by
state rankings on progress in enacting and enforcing anti human trafficking
laws as well as what deficiencies need to be remedied in the criminal and civil
codes so as to provide more effective tools in the war against trafficking.
Oregon was found to be lacking a statute that mandates or
encourages the public posting of a Human Trafficking Hotline, such as the
National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline or an equivalent state human
trafficking hotline.
Oregon was also seen to be in need of a statute that
recognizes sexually exploited individuals under 18 as victims of crime in need
of protection and services by granting immunity from prosecution or diverting
minors from juvenile delinquency proceedings and instead directing them to
child welfare services
It was also recommended that survivors of sex trafficking be
afforded the ability to seek civil damages from their traffickers. Such a
statute would empower survivors to express their indignation at their
victimization and provide money damages for rehabilitation and personal
relaunching.
This Oregon report documents the fact that we are doing many
things well in the Human Trafficking battle but also suggests that there is
room for improvement as per the above suggestions. These deficiencies in Oregon
criminal and civil law can and will serve as some focus and impetus in
continued efforts to send the message loud and clear that “Our women and girls
are not for sale in Oregon.”
Richard Lazere on behalf of East Portland Rotary Human
Trafficking Taskforce
