Wyden to Address Human Sex Trafficking Conference in Portland on January 15th
WHO: Senator Ron Wyden
WHAT: Welcome Address at the 3rd Annual Northwest Conference Against Human Trafficking
WHEN: 8:30 a.m. Saturday, January 15, 2011
WHERE: Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR
Oregon Grand Ballroom #201 (corner of Halladay and MLK)
Portland, OR – In a welcoming address at the 3rd Annual Soroptimist International Northwest Conference Against Trafficking in Portland on Saturday, January 15, 2011 United States Senator Ron Wyden will discuss efforts to pass legislation to help the neglected victims of sex trafficking and crack down on their abusers. Last year, Wyden (D-Ore.) joined with Senator John Cornyn (R-Tex.) to introduce the Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act that would take a comprehensive approach to shutting down human sex trafficking. The bill includes provisions to set up block grant pilot projects in six states that would establish shelters for victims and provide treatment, counseling and legal aid, while also giving law enforcement the tools to crack down on pimps. The legislation came close to passage in 2010. The bill will be reintroduced this year.