Comments for John Vanek's Human Trafficking Blog http://jvanek.wordpress.com Personal Thoughts of a Human Trafficking Task Force Program Manager Wed, 07 Nov 2012 18:56:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ Comment on Prop 35: The tragedy of what could have been by Carl http://jvanek.wordpress.com/2012/10/29/prop-35-the-tragedy-of-what-could-have-been/#comment-941 Wed, 07 Nov 2012 18:56:58 +0000 http://jvanek.wordpress.com/?p=340#comment-941 Well, in the wake of the election, I feel a little sad that I didn’t do more to publicize the potential problems with Prop 35. Thanks for all your efforts John! Having said that however, though there are concerns about Prop 35, I’m glad that Californians overwhelmingly supported a proposition about the issue. It’s a good sign for people’s awareness and concern, even if it’s a potential indicator that we may not understand the nuances of these massive initiatives. I choose to believe that people are at least willing to lend support, and by a large majority, to the fight against slavery and human trafficking. Now we have the job of continuing to educate people, and fixing the problems with Prop 35 as the opportunity arises.

]]> Comment on Prop 35: The tragedy of what could have been by Please Vote NO on CA Prop 35 – Good Idea, Bad Approach « Human Trafficking http://jvanek.wordpress.com/2012/10/29/prop-35-the-tragedy-of-what-could-have-been/#comment-915 Tue, 06 Nov 2012 17:32:34 +0000 http://jvanek.wordpress.com/?p=340#comment-915 [...] California’s Prop 35 is Chris Kelly’s misguided attempt to fight sex trafficking. It’s a good idea, but a bad way to go about it.  Inadequate training requirement for police.  Emphasis on criminal penalties may actually reduce restitution money available to victims.  Problems with who gets classified as traffickers, and thus tracked in CA databases as registered sex offenders. Most major newspapers oppose it.   People I know from the local coalition against human trafficking that understand the issues way better than I do, including @John_Vanek, urge a No vote on Proposition 35. [...]

]]> Comment on Prop 35: The tragedy of what could have been by John Vanek http://jvanek.wordpress.com/2012/10/29/prop-35-the-tragedy-of-what-could-have-been/#comment-852 Sat, 03 Nov 2012 04:40:10 +0000 http://jvanek.wordpress.com/?p=340#comment-852 Erin,

Great question. When you read the California Penal Code, any felony crime will state something similar to, “Anyone convicted of human trafficking shall be imprisoned for 3/5/6 years.” To the casual reader, it appears the offender must go to prison – not true. In California, all felony offenders may receive probation in lieu of the sentencing (in this example, 3/5/6 years), UNLESS that specific crime is on the list of mandatory prison sentencing crimes (e.g., homicide). Currently, human trafficking (Penal Code section 236.1) is NOT on that list. Prop 35 does not change that. Of the roughly 80 convictions for PC 236.1 since 2006, only about 18 have resulted in the offended being sentenced to state prison; sad, but true. I hope this explanation helps.
John

]]> Comment on Prop 35: The tragedy of what could have been by Erin Galey http://jvanek.wordpress.com/2012/10/29/prop-35-the-tragedy-of-what-could-have-been/#comment-851 Sat, 03 Nov 2012 01:53:19 +0000 http://jvanek.wordpress.com/?p=340#comment-851 Hi there! You state that “Human trafficking will remain a crime for which prison time is not mandatory”. However, on the California sample ballot, the explanation of Prop 35 states that it “Increases prison sentences and fines for human trafficking convictions.” Would you mind explaining this difference? Thanks so much.

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