The Current

On January 17, the state legislature in New Jersey passed a crucial piece of legislation that will aid victims of human trafficking in New Jersey. This bill—called a “safe harbor” law—is an important step forward in the fight against slavery right here in our own country.

Safe harbor legislation protects minor victims of sex trafficking from being prosecuted for prostitution. This important legislation ensures that victims of trafficking are treated not as criminals, but as survivors of a crime. New Jersey is only the 10^th state to pass this type of law.

Every year, Polaris Project evaluates each state on the effectiveness of their laws to fight trafficking. See how your state measures up when it comes to fighting human trafficking!

Earlier this year, IJM, Polaris Project, and Slavery Footprint received grant funding from Google.org to help pass safe harbor legislation in a number of states this year. We are thrilled that this bill in New Jersey has already passed and look forward to seeing this important legislation enacted in many other states over the coming year!

Stay connected with what’s going on in your state by finding your state advocacy page on Facebook!

Erica Boonstra is an organizer for Justice Campaigns and helps manage IJM's grassroots efforts around the country and abroad. Justice Campaigns mobilizes people around the country in support of U.S. policies that will lead to the abolition of human trafficking and modern-day slavery.