Members of the State of Hawaii Legislature have been working extremely hard to come up with new bills to reduce prostitution and human trafficking in the islands. Governor Neil Abercrombie has already signed into Law Act 53, which adds solicitation of prostitution to the list of offenses that are ineligible for deferred acceptance of guilty plea, by which a defendant can have the offense erased from his or her record if he or she complies with conditions set by the court. Abercrombie stated, "Act 53 was necessary to strengthen the law so that all participants in the crime are held accountable, including those who solicit services. This is an important step in addressing and deterring human trafficking in all its forms."
Three additional bills are still up for the Governor's signature and review. They include:
Senate Bill 192: Which makes soliciting someone under the age of 18 for prostitution a class C felony with a minimum fine of $2,000 and a maximum fine of $10,000. A guilty party could also face up to five years in jail. Senate Bill 192 also adds other offenses and penalties for coercing or soliciting a minor for prostitution.
House Bill 1068: Requires certain employers to display a poster with information on human trafficking and the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline.
House Bill 1187: Applies the Child Protective Act and state child abuse laws to minors who are victims of sex and labor trafficking. Also designates January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
Commander of the Honolulu Police Department's Narcotics/Vice Division, Major Jerry Inouye, stated, "The general public probably doesn't realize the scope of the problem. The public tends to notice street prostitution because of the dress and conduct of street prostitutes. However, prostitution also occurs via the Internet and at massage parlors and hostess bars. By partnering with other law enforcement agencies and community groups to fight human trafficking, HPD hopes to increase the number of successful prosecutions against pimps and others who advance or profit from prostitution." It is estimated that there are approximately 120 pimps and 100 girls who work in Waikiki on any given night.
State Senator Will Espero added, "It's up to the government, law enforcement and the community to say that we don't want this element in our state because it degrades women and hurts minors. We need to be proactive so tourists and the world know that Hawaii is not the place for prostitution or human trafficking. Some places have that reputation and we don't want it here."
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 6-16-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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