Last week Congress passed the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015. This follows a series of laws that have been passed to align the penalties for trafficking human beings with the brutality of the crime. In a nutshell, this legislation provides greater benefits to U.S. citizens and permanent resident who are victims of severe forms of trafficking, expands programs that assist law enforcement with recovering child victims, and provides for enhanced services. Nationally, we are chugging along in the right direction. However, it is important to remember that anti-trafficking legislation is not a panacea for commercial sexual exploitation. It is a tool that our community will use to help victims and hold pimps and traffickers accountable, but it cannot carry the burden of preventing the exploitation of young or vulnerable members of our community. Click on the title to continue reading.