We will be introducing legislation to better target a specific practice of human trafficking- sex trafficking for the purposes of prostitution.  This legislation was requested and supported by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
 
Specifically, our legislation will move prostitution related offenses to the Human Trafficking section of Title 18 (Crimes Code) and will increase the penalties for most prostitution offenses related to the traffickers and buyers rather than the victims. By moving these offenses to the Human Trafficking section of the Crimes Code, both the Attorney General’s Office and local law enforcement agencies will have the ability to better target and prosecute individuals who are participating in human trafficking for prostitution purposes and will allow local DA’s more freedom to pursue both sets of charges under trafficking and prostitution.  By increasing the penalties for such crimes as patronizing prostitutes and promoting prostitution, we can punish those who promote prostitution and reduce the incidents of prostitution and human trafficking while punishing traffickers and those who force victims into prostitution.    
 
 In June and July of 2026, Philadelphia will host six matches for FIFA World Cup 2026, including a Round of 16 match on July 4, 2026.  At the same time, Philadelphia will be the epicenter of the 250th Anniversary Celebration in the United States.  Additionally, in April 2026, Pittsburgh will host the NFL draft. Combined, these events will attract tens of thousands of fans and visitors from all around the country and the world to the Commonwealth.
 
While people enjoy the games, events and celebrations, it’s important to acknowledge that these events can create an environment ripe for human trafficking, especially sex trafficking. The large crowds, high demand for entertainment, and influx of both temporary and international visitors always leads to this type of human exploitation as proven by our annual Super Bowl.  In many countries around the world, prostitution has been decriminalized or has been an accepted practice.  Given these facts, it is clear that traffickers will be trying to capitalize on these events by exploiting victims of human trafficking.

Big events like the World Cup attract many kinds of people, including sports fans, celebrities, business professionals, and casual attendees. This excitement along with strangers in a strange location can result in people being less aware of their surroundings, leaving them vulnerable to manipulation. Traffickers take advantage of this by tricking individuals into situations where they might be forced into commercial sex acts. Furthermore, traffickers will certainly bring their victims into our Commonwealth to “work” these crowds.

Trafficking networks often plan ahead for major events like the World Cup because there are many potential targets. They look for areas where people gather, such as bars, clubs, and hotels, seeking out those who may feel alone or in need of help. Because many attendees are not familiar with the city, traffickers can blend in more easily and carry out their illegal activities without attracting attention.

We hope you will join us in co-sponsoring this very important piece of legislation.  This legislation is necessary to maintain order and help prevent further destruction of innocent lives.

Thank you for your consideration.