Human trafficking in Michigan

Human Trafficking in Michigan includes trafficking and exploitation of illegal immigrants and kidnapping and forced prostitution. As a result, laws were created to provide proper litigation of related cases, and large universities have also taken interest in combating this particular crime and bringing aid to the victims.

Contents

Law

In 2006, Governor Jennifer Granholm signed House Bill 5747[1] (introduced by Rep. Phil Pavlov(R)[2]) which specifically outlawed human trafficking in Michigan. The relevant state statutes are sections 750.462a to 750.462i[3] . Effective April 1st, 2011, an additional statue, 750.462j was introduced, which set grounds for further prosecution in human trafficking cases.[4]

Universities

There are several organizations and services providing research of human trafficking in the US, including the University of Michigan and Michigan State University. Other groups will also provide assistance for victims and for those who wish to contribute or aid in the prevention of human trafficking.

Michigan State University

Jane White, the Associate Director of the National Center for Community Policing at the School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University, created the Michigan "Human Trafficking Task Force". Their mission statement is:

"The Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force exists to facilitate a collaborative effort to prevent trafficking of persons within the State of Michigan, to pursue prosecution of perpetrators, and to protect and rehabilitate trafficking victims."[5]

This task force provides contact information of service providers and other resources beneficial to victims and to those seeking a way to help victims.

University of Michigan

The University of Michigan provides the "Human Trafficking Clinical Program".[6] It consists of two sections, the Human Trafficking Clinic (HTC), and the Human Trafficking Law Project (HTLP). "The HTC is the first legal clinic solely dedicated to human trafficking in the United States."[6] The HTLP is a database being constructed of all Human Trafficking litigation in the United States.

Incidences

Several Stories and cases can be found via the University of Michigan website.[7] Cases of truck stops being used in prostitution rings are also in the database of the University of Michigan’s HTLP.[8]

References

  1. ^ "IHM Sisters". http://www.ihmsisters.org/www/Justice_Peace_and_Sustainability/trafficking.asp. 
  2. ^ "Michigan Votes". http://www.michiganvotes.org/2006-HB-5747. 
  3. ^ "CHAPTER LXVIIA HUMAN TRAFFICKING". THE MICHIGAN PENAL CODE (EXCERPT) Act 328 of 1931. http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%28ijdexuempjc0o3q0z0oamgnn%29%29/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-328-1931-LXVIIA. Retrieved 22 August 2011. 
  4. ^ "MI Implements Stronger Human Trafficking Laws". CBS Detroit. March 31, 2011. http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2011/03/31/mi-implements-stronger-human-trafficking-laws/. Retrieved 22 August 2011. 
  5. ^ "Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force". Michigan State University School of Criminal Justice website. Michigan State University. http://www.humantrafficking.msu.edu/. Retrieved 22 August 2011. 
  6. ^ a b "University of Michigan Law School, Human Trafficking". http://www.law.umich.edu/clinical/humantraffickingclinicalprogram/Pages/default.aspx. 
  7. ^ Vloet, Katie. "No, Slavery Did Not End". Law Quadrangle. The Regents of the University of Michigan. http://www.law.umich.edu/quadrangle/spring2011/specialfeatures/Pages/TheFaceofModerndaySlavery.aspx#1. Retrieved 22 August 2011. 
  8. ^ "United States v. Deric Willoughby". University of Michigan HTLP. The Regents of the University of Michigan.. http://www.law.umich.edu/clinical/HuTrafficCases/Pages/CaseDisp.aspx?caseID=47. Retrieved 22 August 2011.