AG’s support federal law to fight human trafficking online

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – Attorney General Andy Beshear and a coalition of 20 other state attorneys general filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of a federal law that gives states greater authority to hold human traffickers accountable.

They say an amicus brief was filed this week urges the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to uphold a lower court dismissal of a constitutional challenge to the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act.

The act allows state prosecutors to take legal action against websites that host sex-trafficking ads, pursue criminals who deliberately facilitate trafficking online and file civil suits against anyone violating federal prostitution laws.

“When this act became law, many online ads promoting human trafficking immediately stopped,” said Beshear. “We owe it to each victim to ensure our laws keep these websites shut down and allow states to hold accountable those who commit these horrendous crimes.”