Human Trafficking Bill Reviewed Today posted 2/20/08
Not for Sale efforts make strides

ADRIAN, Mich. – The Michigan House of Representatives Judiciary Committee will be reviewing Rep. Dudley Spade’s five-bill package on human trafficking today in Lansing.

The main bill, sponsored by Spade, more clearly defines the crime of human trafficking as well as defines the penalties for the offense. The committee will hear testimony on the package of bills and will set up the agenda for a voting hearing which will be held at a later date.

Adrian College was founded as an abolitionist college in 1859 and continues to advocate awareness on the issue. Today 27 million people are currently living in slavery throughout the world.

In keeping with Adrian College’s abolitionist tradition, the Chaplain's Office and Office of Multicultural Programs at the College introduced the ‘Not for Sale’ campaign in the fall 2007. Dr. David Batstone, author of the 2007 book “Not for Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade – and How We Can Fight It” (HarperOne) was on campus in September to speak about his anti-slavery efforts.

A longtime advocate for social justice, Batstone first became aware of slavery today when one of his favorite restaurants ended up on the front page for enslaving illegal immigrants. He was shocked that this could happen right under his nose. He is now an impassioned spokesperson for the cause, and is the founder of the Not for Sale campaign.

Since Batstone’s visit the Chaplain’s office and Adrian students have been getting involved with the anti-slavery movement in several ways. All freshmen take a class called First Year Experience (FYE), and approximately one third of them are assigned to read Batstone’s book, “Not for Sale.” The students who are directly involved with the campaign on campus, with the assistance of the Chaplain’s office, also put on many events and raise money to help promote awareness.

Introduced by Rep. Dudley Spade on June 13, 2007, the new legislation would expand the human trafficking crimes law passed in the previous legislature by authorizing courts to order victim restitution; adding “debt bondage” to the prohibited acts; and adding various specific definitions related to the prohibited acts, including forced prostitution, and the use of force, fraud or coercion. The bill is part of a package comprised of House Bills 4914 to 4918, which also would make human trafficking a racketeering crime.

Adrian College alumna and respected advocate of the issue, Mary Venturi, will be attending the hearing today to represent the College. Venturi is currently a first-year law student at Michigan State University.

For more information on the campaign and on modern slavery (including real stories), go to www.notforsalecampaign.org.