The state of Virginia has launched a new website aimed at spreading information about and curbing human trafficking cases.
The website — dcjs.virginia.gov/victims/humantrafficking — is run by the Department of Criminal Justice Services and lists human trafficking laws, research, resources for attorneys and law enforcement, contact information for non-governmental organizations and phone numbers to report suspected cases.
The site launched this month.
It follows three bills Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell signed in May in an effort to curb trafficking in the state. One makes the abduction of any person for prostitution or of a minor for manufacturing child pornography a Class 2 felony that is punishable by 20 years to life in prison. Another requires the Department Criminal Justice Services to advise law enforcement about prosecuting trafficking offenses. The third requires the Department of Social Services to develop a plan to help trafficking victims.
