Position Statement – 2018 

A.3169 (Ortiz)

Support 

Promotes the education of the human trafficking information and referral hotline to assist persons in freeing themselves from severe acts of sex trafficking.

The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY) strongly supports this legislation which would amend the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.

About eighty percent of trafficking victims are forced into the sex-slave industry, and in many cases the victims are forced to work in establishments that serve alcohol. Presently there is no law requiring wine and beer establishments to post a notification regarding the offense of human trafficking.  The purpose of this act is to promote the education of the federal toll free human trafficking referral hotlines. Specifically, the required posting would state: “Notice on Human Trafficking: Obtaining forced labor or service is a crime under the federal government. If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, you are encouraged either to call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center toll free at 1-888-373-7888 or to get immediate help call the Trafficking in Persons and Worker Exploitation Task Force Complaint Line at 1-888-428-7581 (voice and TTY). You may remain anonymous.”

As an organization comprised of attorneys and judges across the state in private practice, government, academia and the courts dedicated to the advancement of women in law and society WBASNY supports this bill.