(Beaver Dam) State Representative Mark Born recently voted in favor of several bills that aim to combat human trafficking. The legislative package from the speaker’s Task Force on Human Trafficking, passed by the assembly, looks to strengthen laws around court proceedings.
It would also increase penalties for those convicted of sex trafficking crimes. The Beaver Dam Republic says human trafficking is a prevalent issue across the country.
“It’s one of the things that when I first got into the legislature and started learning more about it…a little over a decade ago now…I was really shocked how prevalent it was even in Wisconsin,” says Born. “I didn’t realize…growing up here in Dodge County…how much of that stuff was happening in the shadows. It’s really a serious concern…it’s something that’s been getting more and more attention.”
Born adds that these bills also set the state up to better monitor and understand the impact of human trafficking. He says he looks forward to reviewing future recommendations from the Human Trafficking Council to reduce these terrible crimes in Wisconsin.
