Tenney Urges Assembly To Vote On Legislation Against Human Trafficking

Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney hosted a press conference to promote legislation to combat human trafficking.

Tenney says the bill is an important piece of legislation, especially in the wake of the tragic kidnapping of more than 200 girls in Nigeria.

The legislation would increase penalties for those who engage in human trafficking, expand the scope of certain "promoting prostitution" crimes along with the crime of compelling prostitution and create an affirmative defense in prostitution prosecution when the defendant's participation was a result of having been a trafficking victim.

The stand alone bill would also make it easier for trafficking victims to receive services from the state.

"Human trafficking is a crime against the dignity of people, typically women, and I urge my colleagues to pass this bill to demonstrate our strong stance against this practice and back it up with tougher penalties for those who violate the rights of all, especially women," Tenney said.