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House Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Online Sex Trafficking

On November 30, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a hearing, “Latest Developments in Combatting Online Sex Trafficking.” This follows a series of sex trafficking hearings in the House and Senate (see The Source, 10/6/17). Additionally, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation passed the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act on November 8 (see The Source, 11/10/17).

The committee discussed ways to amend the Communications Decency Act (P.L. 104-104), including H.R. 1865, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act, sponsored by Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO), which would reduce barriers for law enforcement to investigate potential bad actors involved in online sex trafficking.

The following witnesses testified:

  • Rep. Wagner;
  • Eric Goldman, professor, Santa Clara University School of Law;
  • Derri Smith, CEO, End Slavery Tennessee;
  • Yiota Souras, senior vice president and general counsel, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; and
  • Russ Winkler, assistant special agent in charge, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.