(Reference materials:
http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/bill...=HB0171&ga=107
http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/bill...=HB0172&ga=107
http://www.tbi.state.tn.us/documents...yColorrev2.pdf
But whats it mean babee?
1)Tennesse Bureau of Investigation did a study including (but not limited to):
law enforcement and social workers focused on trafficking of minors (specifically age 9-17) for the past 24b months in TN only.
78 counties in Tn (85%) reported at least one case of sex trafficking of a minor with Davidson Co (59 cases/6.4%); Shelby Co (43 cases/4.6%), Hamilton Co (42 cases/4.5%) and Knox Co (41 cases/4.4%) as 1,2,3 and 4 respectively.
Davidson, Shelby, Hamilton & Knox also reported over 100 cases of
human sex trafficking (18yo and up/adult) as did:
Madison, Lawrence, Coffee and Franklin counties.
*Note:Of 929 surveys used in the study, the highest return rate for the surveys were LE (94% return), with guardian ad litem (court appointed guardians) the lowest (7% returned) and group homes/social workers next lowest (16%) and court response at less than 50% - 40%. This means (to me) responses were heavily skewed. Read on and see.*
This report (requested in 2010) was cited in the changes above.
TCA (Tennessee Code Annotated aka "TN Law" <we have codes not laws fyi>) will be amended on July 1 2011 as follows (synopsis in layman's terms)
1)Trafficked and/or "pimped" minors will no longer be charged with prostitution (usually) but will be considered and treated as victims. By law, state & local authorities now have to help these victims. That's expensive right? Sooooo
2)Jewelry, household goods, electronics, vehicles, homes, land and and all "real property" of traffickers and/or pimps will be confiscated and distributed
by the clerk of the court <---that means LOCAL - ie city/county. Soooooooo NOW LE makes money off of arrests ie its self funding now. Get it?
3)Paying for sex with a minor goes from misdemeanor to felony.
(look around, along with the "it's illegal to carry a gun into this bar" there will be new signage in bars, hotels taht have a liquor license or have been deemed a public nuisance, massage parlors, adult entertainment establishments, truck stops, welcome centers, airports and bus & train stations saying "If you are not here of your own free will call 1-800 whatever"
Upshot:
More stings.
More stings targeting pimped/managed/trafficked
Tougher laws for pimps and johns
Help for the exploited
Moral of the story?
Independent Adult (duh)