Get caught hiring a prostitute & your name goes on sex offender list in Kansas

Hire a prostitute, buy a spot on the KS sex offender list
Thinking of hiring a lady of the evening in Kansas? Might want to think again.

The Kansas House today endorsed legislation to target human traffickers, but not before amending the bill to put those convicted of hiring a prostitute on the state’s sex offender registry for 10 years.

The amendment’s sponsor, Rep. Mike Slattery, an Mission Democrat, said the idea is to go after the demand for prostitutes, which he noted are often the victims of human trafficking.

“As the father of a young daughter it is the most atrocious thing I can think about,” he said of the practice of forcing young women into the sex trade.

But to the Scarlet Letter for hiring a prostitute wouldn't be permanent.

“Let’s say an 18 year old kid does something stupid,” he said. “Putting them on the sex offender list for their entire life might be overkill.”

Lawmakers in the House liked the idea and added it to the human trafficking bill before passing it. SB 359 now goes back to the Senate, which hasn’t considered Slattery’s idea.

The bill’s other components would redefine the crime of human trafficking to make it easier for police and prosecutors to go after offenders. It would also allow authorities to seize property and money from human traffickers, much in the same way that law enforcement already seizes the profits of drug dealers.

Source: Prime Buzz

Sporting Events Still Remain Magnets for Sex Industry - Interview w/BFA Founder, Julie Shematz

"The sex worker advocate in Canada so far went to say that the link between sporting event and increase in sex trafficking is fiction.

However, Julie Shematz, a sex industry survivor and a founder of Beauty From Ashes, an organization working for sex industry survivors, shows that the link between the mega sports event and increase in prostitution or sex trafficking seem to be more than a myth or fictions."

READ ENTIRE STORY: Human Rights Examiner, March 24, 2010 Sporting Events Still Remain Magnets for Sex Industry

Julie Shematz speaking on behalf of the victims of human trafficking and addressing demand at FGCU

Human trafficking is considered a crime with faceless & voiceless victims.

In an effort to put a voice and a face with the countless victims of commercialized sexual exploitation, Beauty From Ashes founder, Julie Shematz, after being asked to speak on behalf of the victims at a human trafficking awareness event, asked women from across the nation that she interacts with, "if you had one thing to say, what would that be?"

BFA's Human Trafficking Voiceless & Faceless Victims Revealed is a compelling and captivating multi-media presentation that finally puts faces and voices to the victims and survivors. You will find out what's on their heart and what they want you to hear from them.

Additionally, the presentation addresses demand and what is fueling the sex-for-sale industry.

Julie will be giving the presentation at Florida Gulf Coast University on March 25th 5:30 - 7pm. Event is sponsored by the Student Abolitionist Movement & the Florida Coalition of Human Trafficking.

Here are some of the comments made the first time Julie shared this unique presentation at the "Out of the Shadows" Human Trafficking Symposium at Florida Gulf Coast University:

"It was powerful to hear from the various survivors from across the nation and to see their faces and families. It made the problem of sex trafficking more real."

"Was a great presentation!"

"Julie Shematz was exceptional, well spoken & brave..."

"Not a person in the room moved and Julie's presentation captivated everyone."

"Everyone needs to see and hear this."