Letter to the editor: Wyo.: The last state to ban human trafficking

On June 19, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released the 2012 Trafficking in Persons Report, which ranks 184 countries on their efforts to combat human trafficking, including the United States.

While the U.S. has long been a global leader in the fight against modern-day slavery, instances of human trafficking continue to be reported in every state of the union. Currently, Wyoming is the only state in the nation without a law to combat human trafficking.

While perpetrators of this crime can be tried according to federal law, a state law would bring greater coordination between government agencies, law enforcement and service providers in Wyoming and make it easier to prosecute traffickers in state courts.

Right now, concerned citizens are working with state legislators to craft an anti-trafficking bill for the 2013 legislative session. As we approach the anniversary of our nation’s founding – a nation “conceived in liberty,” in the words of President Lincoln – let’s renew our commitment as Wyoming citizens to rid the world of slavery, once and for all.

For more information on combatting trafficking in Wyoming, send questions to wyoijm@gmail.com.

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