WHEC Rochester: Sen. Gallivan calls for tougher penalties for human trafficking

Updated: 10/21/2014 10:46 PM
Created: 10/21/2014 10:44 PM WHEC.com

State Senator Patrick Gallivan says he supports a new law signed recently by Governor Andrew Cuomo to help victims of human trafficking, but wants the government to do more.

He wants the legislature to pass a more comprehensive bill approved by the state Senate.

“This new law is a great start when it comes to assisting the thousands of innocent victims of human trafficking, many of whom are young females.  The courts will have the authority to ensure these victims have access to housing and community-based programs to help them escape these horrendous circumstances.  Now it’s time to go even further in our efforts to end human trafficking in New York,” Gallivan said.

Sen. Gallivan was a co-sponsored of the Senate bill which he says would stregthen existing laws. It would make sex trafficking a Class B violent felony and some cases of labor trafficking a Class D violent felony. It would also make it a felony to patronize a minor for prostitution.

http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S3597225.shtml