January Is Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Hawaii

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A measure passed last year designates this month Human Trafficking Awareness Month. It also ensures that minor victims of sex and labor trafficking are covered by the Child Protective Act and laws relating to the state’s child abuse law.

In the 2013 regular session, the Legislature also passed a bill requiring some employers to display a poster to provide information about to human trafficking and list the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline.

“While I know this issue can be very complicated, it is essential to build awareness and consensus to pass solid policy to improve our laws on human and sex trafficking in Hawaii,” Rep. John Mizuno said in a press release.

According to Mizuno, prior to 2011 Hawaii was ranked in the bottom 10 of states with laws relating to human trafficking. Today it is ranked in the top 10.

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Photo: Testifier. (Civil Beat)

—Chad Blair

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