Kuster, Wagner Reintroduce Act to Stop Commercial Exploitation of Sex-Trafficking Victims

On Jan. 12, U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, D-NH, joined with her Republican colleague, U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner, MO-02, to reintroduce the SAVE Act, bipartisan legislation both Congresswomen championed last Congress. The SAVE Act, officially known as the Stop Advertising Victims of Exploitation Act, would make it illegal to profit from the advertising of commercial sex acts involving underage children or victims of human trafficking.

“Throughout the world – even in our own backyard – thousands of women and underage children are being trafficked and forced to commit sexual acts against their will. It is sickening that individuals advertise and promote this heinous practice in order to make a quick profit,” said Kuster. “I was proud to work across the aisle and join my Republican colleague from Missouri in reintroducing the SAVE Act, which would make this kind of advertising illegal and give our law enforcement officials the tools they need to prosecute these types of offenders. We must work together to put a stop to the trafficking of women, men, and children across the globe, and I urge my colleagues in the House and Senate to swiftly pass this legislation into law.”

The SAVE Act, which was first introduced to the House in March 2014, amends current law to prohibit profiting from advertising which promotes or may lead to already-illegal acts such as human trafficking, child and/or sexual abuse, kidnapping, pimping, and prostitution. Kuster was a cosponsor of the legislation last Congress, and she will continue to work across the aisle to garner support for the legislation this year.

Since first taking office, Kuster has been a leader in the fight against human trafficking, and she has a history of working across the aisle to gain bipartisan support for the cause. Last year, she coauthored a letter with Wagner condemning the kidnapping of nearly 300 girls by the terrorist group Boko Haram, and calling on the U.S. government to work with the United Nations to enact more comprehensive financial sanctions against the organization. Together, Kuster and Wagner brought together all 79 women Representatives, Democrats and Republicans, to cosign the letter. Additionally, last year Kuster helped pass a long-overdue, comprehensive package of bills to greatly help our nation address and prevent human trafficking.

Submitted text and courtesy graphic.