Issues@Hand

AFA initiatives, Christian activism, news briefs

Above, currently posted at backpage.com.

June 2018 – On March 21, the U.S. Senate passed the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act. The bill effectively amends the Decency Act of 1996 to state that it allows operators of Internet services to be held liable for criminal third-party activity on their websites, specifically activity related to sex trafficking of children or sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion.

The bill also allows state attorneys general to bring civil actions in U.S. district courts if the attorney general believes an interest of the residents has been or is threatened or adversely affected by anyone who knowingly participates in sex trafficking.

The bill is intended to crack down on and expose companies such as backpage.com (an online classified ad company), which claimed it could not be held accountable for countless sex trafficking ads and content on its site.

This new law will hold companies accountable for the content allowed on their Internet sites.

thegospelcoalition.org, 3/26/18; congress.gov, 1/10/18