A California activist against human trafficking says offenders need to know that they are being watched "offline and online."
Proposition 35, a measure on California's November ballot, would impose tougher fines and penalties for convicted traffickers. They would be required to register as sex offenders and face the possibility of going to jail for 15 years to life as well as up to $1.5 million in fines.
Daphne Phung, executive director of California Against Slavery (CAS), says Proposition 35 would also give traffickers more incentive against exploitation.
"Prop. 35 on the November ballot will require that convicted sex offenders disclose their Internet accounts," she details. "We need to send a message to known predators that we are watching them offline and online."
Should the initiative pass, sex offenders would have to reveal to police their e-mail and social networking identities.
"Prop. 35 will also give law enforcement and prosecutors the tools that they need to stop human trafficking at its source. Prop. 35 will put the traffickers in jail for longer and levy immense fines to fund victims' services and protect young women and girls," Phung concludes.
The CAS founder believes the law should "reflect the atrocity of human trafficking." She thinks "it's time for the American public to recognize that slavery still exists in our great nation."