Bill Text: CA SR21 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Senate Resolution 21 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relative to World Day of the Fight Against Sexual Exploitation.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-08-24 - Ordered to inactive file on request of Senator Skinner. [SR21 Detail]

Download: California-2017-SR21-Introduced.html

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Resolution

No. 21

Introduced by Senator Skinner

February 27, 2017

Relative to World Day of the Fight Against Sexual Exploitation.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SR 21, as introduced, Skinner.

WHEREAS, Every year since 2009, March 4th has been designated as World Day of the Fight Against Sexual Exploitation; and

WHEREAS, Although there are exceptions, sexual exploitation overwhelmingly involves women and children and is a problem of worldwide proportions. It has been estimated that every second of the day an average of eight people—women, girls, and often, young boys—are trapped by international criminal networks where the sole aim is to sexually exploit, traffic, and enslave them; and

WHEREAS, This process obviously robs a person of his or her basic human rights, including the rights to freedom and dignity, to live where one chooses, and to control one’s own body; and

WHEREAS, Although older teenage girls can be involved in this traffic, younger girls and boys who are involved in sexual exploitation will generally stay close to their region of origin. The United Nations International Children’s Fund estimates that more than 3 million children worldwide are affected by prostitution and that children make up more than one-third of all sex workers in Asia; and

WHEREAS, The International Labor Organization estimates that nearly one million people are trafficked every year for purposes of sexual exploitation. Although 98% are women and girls, this number also includes a significant number of boys and young men; and

WHEREAS, Although huge sums of money are made, the victims rarely receive any of this, making human trafficking a modern form of slavery; and

WHEREAS, World Day of the Fight Against Sexual Exploitation sets out to draw attention to this major worldwide problem. As so often happens with matters that thrive in the darker parts of society and teeter on the brink of illegality, sexual exploitation often goes unnoticed; and

WHEREAS, Even rich countries are affected. A report published in 2001 suggested that 300,000 children in the United States were running the risk of sexual exploitation that could be considered as commercial; and

WHEREAS, At least by having a special day, there is a chance of raising the international profile of the problem and that surely is a step in the right direction; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California,That the Senate condemns trafficking in persons, especially women and children, which constitutes an offense and a serious threat to human dignity and physical integrity, human rights, and development, and hereby recognizes March 4, 2017, as World Day of the Fight Against Sexual Exploitation; and be it further

Resolved,That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.