http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/human-trafficking-s460.pngHuman trafficking has long been a hidden issue in our state, invisible to everyone except those closely connected to this underground world.

MADISON, WI - After attending the signing at Governor Evers’ office of Senate Bill 973 establishing mandatory training regarding human trafficking for employees of community-based residential facilities and owners of certain entities and certain other employees and granting rule-making authority, Representative Shelia Stubbs (D-Madison) released the following statement:

“Thank you to Representative Jerry O’Connor and Representative Jodi Emerson, who served as Chair and Vice Chair of the Assembly Speaker’s Task Force on Human Trafficking. I would also like to thank my co-authors on this bill, Representative Rick Gundrum and Senator Daniel Knodl, for their hard work on this bipartisan piece of legislation.

Human trafficking has long been a hidden issue in our state, invisible to everyone except those closely connected to this underground world. One of the goals of legislation created for the Speaker’s Task Force on Human Trafficking is to raise awareness about commercial exploitation and ensure that bystanders who might encounter this crime are properly trained on how to address and report incidents.

People who work in community-based residential facilities, various lodging establishments, private security firms, public transit, and adult entertainment businesses are more likely than the general population to have contact with human trafficking victims. Therefore, these professionals must be adequately prepared to recognize and intervene in human trafficking situations when they arise.

With Governor Evers’ signature on this bill, we take another step forward toward a trafficking-free Wisconsin. I have hope that the bills I authored for the task force that did not make it across the finish line this session will make it to the Governor’s desk next session so that we as a state may continue developing sound, effective anti-trafficking policy.”