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Lawmakers Debate Human Trafficking Bill

RICHMOND, Va. (VirginiaBusiness.com)— Legislators raised a few questions with a measure that would deploy hotel staff to help combat human trafficking. The bill introduced by Del. Shelly A. Simonds, D-Newport News, was heard Thursday in a House subcommittee. House Bill 258 would authorize the Department of Criminal Justice Services to create an online mandatory course to help …

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Local advocates against human trafficking fight to expand victims’ rights during 2022 General Assembly session

RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) — With the 2022 Virginia General Assembly session underway, advocates against human trafficking are vying for lawmakers’ attention to expand the rights of trafficking victims in the commonwealth. Officials with the Virginia Coalition Against Human Trafficking say they have two main goals this session. First, they’re pushing for the non-criminalization of juveniles …

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Unveiling Human Trafficking: A Call to Action

This documentary brings light to the true nature of human trafficking. There are many preconceived notions that exist surrounding human trafficking, and this video attempts to debunk those myths. Such preconceived notions, too, affect how individuals combat human trafficking, especially our legislators. In Virginia, we can do more to protect and prevent victims of human …

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Results from the 2021 Legislative Session

HB1944 Casino gaming; requirements for issuance of operator’s license, human trafficking training – Requires applicants for operator’s licenses to have established a policy requiring all license and permit holders who interact directly with the public in the casino gaming establishment to complete a training course acceptable to the Virginia Lottery Department in how to recognize …

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The Washington Post: Sex trafficking survivors are treated as criminals in Virginia. That could soon change.

Looking back, Amanda recognizes the moment she went from feeling she had control over her life to realizing she didn’t. It came on a day she ate breakfast at a hotel. As she tells it, she was in her early 20s and her room was being paid for by a man she had met in …

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Podcast: Legal and Policy Reform and the Fight Against Human Trafficking

Guest host, Rachael Smith, speaks with attorney Patrick McKenna about criminal record relief laws and the impact they can have on a survivor’s healing process. Rachael and Patrick also discuss how we can join the legal fight against trafficking. Patrick McKenna is a co-founder of the Virginia Coalition Against Human Trafficking, an alliance of service …

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