Following Monday’s Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee hearing on human trafficking and the disproportionate impact of these crimes on certain marginalized populations, Chairwoman Shanique Speight (D-Essex) issued the following statement:
“Human trafficking can happen anywhere, including our own neighborhoods. All New Jerseyans deserve to feel safe in their communities, but for that to be possible, we have to address the fact that many of our most vulnerable, marginalized populations are disproportionately impacted by these crimes.
“Women of color are particularly affected by the disproportionate impact of these horrific crimes and are often criminalized through arrests instead of offered the resources they need to recover from their trauma and reenter society.
“Raising awareness is the first step to combating human trafficking in our State. This is one of the many issues that will be a priority for the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee as we work to keep New Jersey safe.”