A bill allowing victims of human trafficking to sue their traffickers is one step closer to becoming law. Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee passed House Bill 1161 Thursday. Representative Jenna Haggar is a prime sponsor of the bill. She says it offers the legal possibility of seeking civil damages in an attempt to regain some of what was taken.
“This bill also sends a message to any individual or trafficker who plans to come to our state to victimize our girls or women or young men,” Haggar says. “There should be no financial advantage to a trafficker coming to South Dakota and promoting this horrible crime, making money, and victimizing men and women. Let’s strip away the financial incentive and ensure the victim’s right to seek damages.”
The bill now heads to the Senate floor for further debate.