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Conservative MP calls for minimum sentence for human traffickers
by Scott Gilbreath ~ January 30th, 2009
Joy Smith, Conservative MP for Kildonan-St. Paul, Manitoba, has tabled a private member’s bill imposing a minimum five-year sentence on those convicted of human trafficking involving children under eighteen.
Last year, a Niagara man was convicted of human trafficking. He made over $350,000 off of a young 15 year old girl by sexually exploiting her daily over a period of two years. He only received 3 years for the offence of human trafficking and received credit for the 404 days already served.
“Based on the recent lenient human trafficking conviction involving minors, I believe there is clearly a need for Parliament to provide additional guidance to the courts on the trafficking of minors and formally denounce the trafficking of children,” said MP Joy Smith.
One of Canada’s leading experts on human trafficking, UBC law professor Benjamin Perrin, applauds Ms Smith’s proposal.
“The courts are failing us right now so there’s a vital need for this private member’s bill,” Perrin told The Canadian Press.
Two Canadians have so far been convicted of human trafficking involving minors but each received sentences that Perrin said sent the wrong message about crimes against vulnerable children.
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“If these trafficking convictions are going to simply amount to pre-trial custody (sentences) the public is not protected and certainly the traffickers are not being held accountable,” Perrin said.
Dr Perrin points out that other countries impose stiffer sentences for human trafficking than does Canada. The United States requires an automatic 14-year sentence for trafficking children under 14 and a 10-year minimum for trafficking children between 14 and 18. Australia and New Zealand have also instituted minimum sentences for such crimes.
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January 31st, 2009 at 06:55 PM
[...] CONSERVATIVE MP calls for minimum sentence for human traffickers …. [...]