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Stop the Trafficking of Alaska Native Girls
  1. Signatures
    516 out of 1,000
    Petitioning
    1. The Governor of AK (+ 2 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • The Governor of AK
      • The AK State Senate
      • The AK State House
  2. Created By
    Dana Liebelson
    Washington, DC
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates

Alaska Native women and girls are facing a dire trafficking problem. Sex-traffickers often lure the victims to Anchorage, where they’re separated from their local support network and then coerced into the sex trade. Investigators say that this trend has been on the rise for the past couple years, and they fear Alaska Natives are targeted due to their “versatile” look—which makes them easier to advertise on the Internet as Hawaiian or Asian. So how can both the Alaskan and tribal governments stop failing these girls? Two words: prosecution and education.  Tell Governor Sean Parnell and the state legislature to firstly, strengthen Alaska state laws to mirror federal penalties. And secondly, work with tribal governments to fund a trafficking-specific education program for families.  

Alaska’s state trafficking laws are relatively weak. Currently, authorities often choose to prosecute pimps under federal sex trafficking laws, as the state law only allows for prosecution of trafficking if the victim is transferred across state lines. Unsurprisingly, this system isn’t working. Governor Parnell and the state legislature needs to strengthen Alaska’s state laws to mirror the federal laws, and get traffickers off the street for good. This legislation can't come soon enough.

It is also essential that a high-quality trafficking education program is put in place. By educating families on the dangers of trafficking, girls will be more apt to ask for help, and families will be better equipped to monitor potentially volatile domestic situations. A state-wide government funded education program—developed in conjunction with tribal governments—would go a long way in helping prevent trafficking crimes. Thank you in advance for your support!

 

Recent Signatures

Stop the Trafficking of Alaska Native Girls

Greetings,

I am a constituent concerned about the rise in trafficking of Alaska Native girls and women. Sex-traffickers often lure the victims to Anchorage, where they’re separated from their local support network and then coerced into the sex trade. Amnesty International has estimated that Native American women are 2.5 times more likely than other American women to experience sexual assault in their lifetime. Previously victimized women and girls are prime targets for traffickers. Statistics show that within 48 hours of being on the street, one in three of runaways will be drawn into prostitution.

How can both the Alaskan and tribal governments stop failing these girls? Two words: prosecution and education. Firstly, I implore you to strengthen Alaska state laws to mirror federal penalties. And secondly, I'm asking you to work with tribal governments to fund a trafficking-specific education program for families. Alaska’s state trafficking laws are relatively weak. Currently, authorities often choose to prosecute pimps under federal sex trafficking laws, as the state law only allows for prosecution of trafficking if the victim is transferred across state lines. Unsurprisingly, this system isn’t working. An investigator told The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner that even when girls are separated from their pimp and provided social services, the prosecutions are few and far between. Legislation that mirrors the federal laws can't come soon enough.

It is also essential that a high-quality trafficking education program is put in place. By educating families on the dangers of trafficking, girls will be more apt to ask for help, and families will be better equipped to monitor potentially volatile domestic situations. A state-wide government funded education program—developed in conjunction with tribal governments—would go a long way in helping prevent trafficking crimes. Thank you in advance for your support!

Sincerely,

[Your name]

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