Legislation signed into law by Gov. They may depend on their pimp or trafficker for their livelihood. The legislation passed unanimously in the state House and Senate, which are both dominated by Democrats.
Nationwide, the average age someone enters the sex trade is about 13, advocates say. Tammy Bitanga was 15 when she was trafficked into the sex trade in Waikiki after running away from her foster home. She left when she got a ride to the airport and a relative bought her a plane ticket back home. She now works for a nonprofit that helps girls recover from being trafficked. But she supports the legislation for others, as a conviction on your record makes it that much harder to leave prostitution behind, she said.
Previously, the law allowed sex trafficking convictions expunged after six years, but only with proof of victimization. Laura Thielen, a Democrat representing Kailua and Waimanalo. The organization says it has helped victims escape sex slavery over the past 10 years. Somebody coerced her into it. Hawaii law on prostitution convictions is 1st in nation. Hawaii Gov. Mazie Hirono, at left wearing a lei, signs legislation in Honolulu, Tuesday, July 2, , making Hawaii the first state in the U.
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