WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee today unanimously approved Senator Rob Portman’s (R-OH) bipartisan measure – the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (S. 1693) – which will help ensure that online sex traffickers are brought to justice.  Following the committee’s approval, Portman issued the following statement:

“This is a momentous day in our fight to hold online sex traffickers accountable and help give trafficking survivors the justice they deserve.  I’m pleased that this bill has now been approved unanimously from committee and I would like to thank Chairman Thune and Ranking Member Nelson for their leadership and support in this effort.  I would urge the full Senate to act on this bill as quickly as possible.”

NOTE: The Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act would (1) allow sex trafficking victims to get the justice they deserve by eliminating federal liability protections for websites that knowingly assist, support, or facilitate online sex trafficking; and (2) allow state and local prosecutors to prosecute websites that violate federal sex trafficking laws.  The bill was introduced after the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations’ two-year inquiry which culminated in a report entitled “Backpage.com’s Knowing Facilitation of Online Sex Trafficking,” which found that Backpage.com knowingly facilitated criminal sex trafficking of vulnerable women and children and then covered up evidence of these crimes in order to increase its own profits.  In September, the Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee held a hearing on the bill, which demonstrated a bipartisan consensus for action.  This measure is strongly supported by anti-trafficking advocates and law enforcement from around the country, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the National Urban League, and the tech community. 

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