The Nevada Sagebrush

Assemblyman John Hambrick

The issue of slavery was settled shortly after Nevada became a state in 1864. Most Americans believe slavery is a thing of the past that we learn about in history books, but it is still a reality for many, just with a new name — trafficking.

Trafficking is all around us, even in Nevada.

Last year the FBI conducted a three-day sweep, cracking down on child trafficking and prostitution nationwide. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported the FBI identified more than 60 children and 99 pimps, including one child located in Las Vegas. Almost 100 children were identified as being forced into sexual servitude in Las Vegas in 2010.

Even in Reno, trafficking and forced prostitution is a serious concern. Shortly after the FBI sting in Las Vegas, KOLO Channel 8 reported a similar sting by the Reno Police Department, uncovering two girls from Sacramento, ages 14 and 15. Just this summer KRNV Channel 4 reported a former IRS agent and UNR teacher was illegally transporting a teen girl to Reno so that she could become a prostitute.

These are not stories from distant countries. These stories come from right here in Nevada. Sadly, most of these stories don’t have happy endings. Victims of trafficking often face physical and sexual abuse. Drugs and alcohol are commonplace. Victims are brainwashed to believe the abuse is normal. All of this makes it nearly impossible for victims to get out on their own, and even when helped, this baggage makes it difficult to return to a normal life.

Earlier this year, the Nevada Legislature joined me in standing with the victims of trafficking. In Nevada it is a crime to be a prostitute outside of a brothel, and Assembly Bill 6 is giving victims of trafficking the opportunity to remove that conviction from their records. With these convictions from something out of their control, it is difficult or even impossible for victims to return to a normal life. This legislation gives them a new lease on life, but it isn’t enough.

We need to increase penalties for pimps and others exploiting humans for their own personal gains. I sponsored AB 380 in 2009, which now allows the court to impose substantial fines of up to $500,000 on any person convicted of pandering or of prostitution of a child.

This legislation makes the very criminals who prey on our youth fund the programs to help get them off the street. You have my word that I will continue to sponsor legislation like AB 6 and AB 380 that will work to end trafficking in Nevada.

This is not a political issue. It is a human issue, and it will take all of us to stop human trafficking. Please join us Wednesday from 6:30-9 p.m. in the Wells Fargo Auditorium in the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center for an informational and moving panel of people fighting every day to end slavery in Nevada, the United States and abroad. It’s time we stand together and say, “Humans are not for sale.”

John Hambrick is a Nevada assemblyman for District 2. He can be reached at opinion@nevadasagebrush.com.

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