Introduction
New York ranks number four in the United States for reported cases of human trafficking according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Of the 414 reported cases, over three hundred were sex trafficking cases including women in and around 17% of the total number of reports were minors[1]. The majority of the sex trafficking cases came from pornography studios and massage spas. 64% of confirmed victims are victims of sex trafficking, and 43% of the confirmed victims are from New York City. The remaining human trafficking reports came from 40% Upstate and 17% from the metro area[2].
What is the Law in New York on Human Trafficking
Under New York Penal Law §230.34, sex trafficking is defined as a class B felony with a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. The court can also order a fine of up to $5000.00[3]. There is also a federal law that pertains to sex trafficking, defined under 22 USC § 7102, which states that sex trafficking is “the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act, in which the commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age.”
Michael Brady Lynch Firm
Here at the Michael Brady Lynch Firm, we are dedicated to fighting against human sex trafficking. If you or a loved one have been subject to sex trafficking, please call us at 888-585-5970.
[1] https://humantraffickinghotline.org/state/new-york
[2] https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/human-trafficking-statistics-by-state
[3] https://otda.ny.gov/programs/bria/documents/Human-Trafficking-Law.pdf