STATEHOUSE — A bill to combat human trafficking is making its way through the Indiana legislature.
The National Human Trafficking Hotline says there were 140 human trafficking cases reported in Indiana in 2020, which was up from 95 in 2017.
State Representative Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) has authored a bill to protect young human trafficking victims and strengthen criminal penalties against traffickers.
McNamara’s legislation would allow young victims to provide recorded video statements instead of testifying in a courtroom where they would have to relive past trauma.
She said this not only protects young victims but removes an emotional hurdle so that more children would be willing to testify against traffickers.
The legislation would also increase sentencing for traffickers whose victims are under 18, and rule out victim consent or belief that a victim was at least 18 as a legal defense.
