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TRENTON – An omnibus human trafficking measure, sponsored by Senators Nellie Pou, Joseph F. Vitale and Nia H. Gill, that broadens the definition of and penalties for human trafficking, putting New Jersey in the forefront of protecting victims of sex trafficking and labor trafficking was signed into law today.

“Victims of human trafficking often are held physically, psychologically and emotionally captive by their abusers, who use tactics of fear and manipulation to force these men, women and children to engage in sex and labor slavery,” said Senator Pou, D-Passaic and Bergen. “By ensuring our police and judicial system, advocates and residents know how to identify human trafficking and bring justice to the victims of human trafficking, we can put an end to these atrocious acts occurring within our borders. And since New Jersey is home of the 2014 Super Bowl – the single largest human trafficking event each year in the United States – this legislation could not have come at a more appropriate time.”

TRENTON – An omnibus human trafficking bill, sponsored by Senators Nellie Pou, Joseph F. Vitale and Nia Gill, that would broaden the definition of and penalties for human trafficking, putting New Jersey in the forefront of protecting victims of sex trafficking and labor trafficking was approved today by the full Senate.

“Human trafficking is modern-day slavery that keeps some of our most vulnerable residents – most of whom are women and children – held captive physically, psychologically and emotionally,” said Senator Pou, D-Passiac and Bergen. “By bringing awareness to the issue of human trafficking and training our law enforcement and judicial personnel to recognize the signs of human trafficking, we can put an end to these atrocious acts.”

“Right here in New Jersey, men, women and children are being enslaved through means of human trafficking – put to work in the sex industry, and in such jobs as domestic servants or as farmhands,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “Often due to cultural and language barriers, victims of human trafficking can’t self-identify as being victims of human trafficking or are too frightened to speak out, making the crimes continue to go underreported. This bill will strengthen our laws and give advocates the tools necessary to end the enslavement of people in New Jersey.”

“As we become more aware of the severity and the magnitude of the problem of human trafficking in New Jersey, it becomes even more critical that we work aggressively to combat these horrible crimes,” said Senator Gill, D-Essex/Passaic, sponsor of the law making human trafficking a crime in New Jersey. “This legislation builds on our current human trafficking law by strengthening the penalties for those associated with the crime and by providing victims with the help they need.”