STATEHOUSE (Jan. 24, 2022) – The Indiana House of Representatives voted unanimously in support today of legislation to protect young human trafficking victims and strengthen criminal penalties against perpetrators, according to State Reps. Julie Olthoff (R-Crown Point) and Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron).
Olthoff said the legislation, which she co-authored, would allow young victims to provide recorded video statements instead of physically testifying in a courtroom where they are forced to relive past trauma. Olthoff said this change would not only help protect young victims, but also remove an emotional hurdle so that more children are willing to testify against their perpetrators.
"This is a compassionate approach to help young survivors who face a lot of trauma and hardships," Olthoff said. "Thanks to technology, these victims will still have their day in court, but can focus on telling their story while helping to hold perpetrators accountable."
Currently, Indiana law requires Hoosiers 15 years old or older at the time of a trial to testify in court. Aylesworth, a member of the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee, said the proposal he supports would allow survivors 14 years old or younger at the time of their assault to submit a video statement for court procedures if they are younger than 18 at the time of the trial.
He said the legislation would increase sentencing for perpetrators whose victims are under the age of 18 and rule out victim consent or belief that a victim was at least 18 years old as a legal defense. The bill would close a legal loophole that allows individuals who pay a victim directly for sex acts to receive a lighter sentence. Currently, individuals who offer to or pay for sex acts can only be prosecuted with a Level 5 felony if they pay the trafficker directly. According to law enforcement, it is difficult to prosecute suspects as the majority of transactions occur between the perpetrator and the victim.
"Human trafficking is a growing industry and a horrific crime," Aylesworth said. "We need to do whatever it takes to bring down this industry, and this legislation will help put more criminals behind bars."
Local organizations and agencies would also begin reporting human trafficking cases to the Indiana Attorney General's Office no more than 30 days after an investigation begins.
Nearly 25 million people worldwide are victims of human trafficking, making it the fastest-growing and second-largest criminal industry, according to the U.S. State Department. In Indiana, there were 140 human trafficking cases reported in 2020, up from 95 in 2017, according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
House Bill 1081 now goes to the Indiana Senate for consideration. Visit iga.in.gov to learn more.
If someone is suspected to be a victim of human trafficking, it should be reported immediately to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. For more information, visit humantraffickinghotline.org.
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State Rep. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) represents House District 11,
which includes portions of Lake and Porter counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Julie Olthoff (R-Crown Point) represents House District 19,
which includes a portion of Lake and Porter counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
