Sumter: Human Trafficking, A Threat to New Jersey’s Way of Life

Organized by NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking; Legislator Joins Supporters at Rally Held Today on Statehouse Steps on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

(Trenton) – Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter joined legislative colleagues and organizations Friday in a stand against the deplorable crimes of human trafficking that continue escalate within New Jersey’s borders. January 11th is Human Trafficking Awareness Day. The month of January also has been declared as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

“It was heartening to see so many organizations stand together and raise their voices in the fight against the most immoral human condition that has ever afflicted our nation, human trafficking,” said Sumter (D- Bergen/Passaic). “Slavery is the most unconscionable crime against humanity. And any act of human trafficking will not be tolerated in this state. We have and will continue to illuminate the ways of this trade in New Jersey.
“We must do everything possible to purge our state of these horrendous crimes and put an end to human trafficking.”
Sumter is one of the sponsors of pending legislation (A-3352), the Human Trafficking Prevention, Protection and Treatment Act, that would crack down on every aspect of trafficking by revising and expanding the state’s current laws to create a new human trafficking commission, criminalize additional activities related to human trafficking, upgrade certain penalties on existing human trafficking or related crimes, increase protections afforded to victims of human trafficking, and provide for increased training and public awareness on human trafficking issues.
The rally was organized by the NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking. Congressman Chris Smith, State Senator Nellie Pou (Bergen/Passaic) and Assemblywoman Valerie Vanieri Huttle also took part in the event.