Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) has played a part in Congress passing S.B. 178, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, that includes two measures he sponsored -- the Stop Advertising Victims of Exploitation (SAVE) Act and the HERO Act -- to combat online sex trafficking and the sale of minors for sex.
“I applaud Congress for passing legislation that protects our most vulnerable and punishes those who profit from selling children online for sex,” Kirk said. “I urge President Obama to swiftly sign this into law so that those websites like Backpage.com and their advertisers can finally be held liable for aiding in human trafficking."
The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act increases the maximum penalties for human trafficking-related offenses including enticement into slavery, obstruction of human trafficking investigations and repeat child exploitation offenses.