WASHINGTON— U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), released the following statement today after the Senate passed the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (H.R. 1865), which includes bipartisan legislation he cosponsored to ensure justice for victims of sex trafficking and crack down on websites that knowingly facilitate these crimes.
“Human trafficking is on the rise in Louisiana. It must be stopped,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This bill holds websites accountable for helping sex traffickers. The goal is to save children and teens from being forced into prostitution by pimps who emotionally and physically abuse them.”
The legislation would allow victims of sex trafficking to seek justice against websites that knowingly facilitated the crimes against them; eliminate federal liability protections for websites that assist, support, or facilitate a violation of federal sex trafficking laws; and enable state law enforcement officials, not just the federal Department of Justice, to take action against individuals or businesses that violate federal sex trafficking laws.
Last month, Cassidy voted for the Secure and Succeed Act, legislation that would help stop human trafficking, money laundering and drug trafficking by securing our southern border.
In 2015, Cassidy introduced bipartisan legislation to help medical professionals identify and stop human trafficking. The legislation was included in the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, which President Obama signed into law in May 2015.