HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.4 Prop 35 CASE Act
STAFF REPORT CITY CLERK
File # 660-40
CITY COUNCIL
DATE:September 4, 2012
TO:
Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM:
Joni Pattillo, City Manager
SUBJECT:
Resolution in Support of Proposition 35 – The CASE Act
Prepared by Christopher L. Foss, Assistant City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City Council will consider a resolution supporting Proposition 35 – the CASE Act ballot
initiative which would strengthen penalties against human trafficking and protect sexually
exploited children.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council consider the proposed resolution and take the
appropriate action.
Submitted By
Assistant City Manager
DESCRIPTION:
At the August 21, 2012 City Council meeting, Councilmember Swalwell requested that the City
Council consider its support for Proposition 35 – the CASE Act.
BACKGROUND
According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, human trafficking is
the fastest growing and second largest criminal industry in the world. Human trafficking is known
as modern day slavery because a person's life, liberty and fortune are under the absolute
control of another, where victims can be bought, sold or used at the will of a trafficker.
Under existing California law, human trafficking is defined as violating the liberty of a person
with the intent to: (I) commit certain felony crimes (such as pandering or prostitution), or (2)
ITEM NO. 8.4
Page 1 of 2
obtain forced labor or services, Sex trafficking victims are commonly forced into commercial sex
exploitation which includes prostitution, pornography, live-sex shows, mail-order brides, military
prostitution and sex tourism, Trafficking can also take place in diverse labor contexts such as
domestic servitude, small businesses, factories and agricultural work,
In November 2012, the CASE Act initiative (Proposition 35) will be on the statewide ballot.
Supporters of the CASE Act state that California is a target for domestic and international
human trafficking because of its large population, international borders, large economy,
extensive ports, and metropolitan regions. The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that San
Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco are three of the 13 highest child sex trafficking areas in
the country.
Proposition 35, a partnership of California Against Slavery and the Safer California Foundation,
will protect children in California by:
Increasing prison terms for human traffickers;
Requiring convicted sex traffickers to register as sex offenders;
Requiring all registered sex offenders to disclose their internet accounts;
Requiring criminal fines from convicted human traffickers to pay for services to help
victims.
The CASE Act is supported by an extensive statewide list of elected officials, law enforcement
agencies, advocacy groups, faith-based organizations and the business community.
Staff has prepared a draft resolution (Attachment 1) for consideration by the City Council.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
No noticing is required. A copy of the Staff Report was provided to Daphne Phung, Executive
Director of California Against Slavery.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Supporting Proposition 35 - The CASE Act
Page 2 of 2
RESOLUTION NO. XX - 12
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
* * * * * * * * * * *
SUPPORTING PROPOSITION 35 – THE CASE ACT
WHEREAS,
the average age of a victim forced into the sex slave trade (human trafficking) is 13;
and
WHEREAS,
victims of human trafficking, many who are runaway girls, are vulnerable and easily
exploited by their traffickers or pimps for financial gain while also being controlled through
sexual, physical and emotional abuse, and ultimately threats of harm or death to themselves or
their family if they resist or try to escape; and
WHEREAS,
human trafficking, also known as modern day slavery, is one the fastest growing
crimes in the world, and California and the City of Los Angeles are top destination points for
trafficked victims because of their proximity to international borders, number of ports and
airports, significant immigrant populations and large economy which includes industries that
attract forced labor; and
WHEREAS,
California Against Slavery and the Safer California Foundation successfully
submitted the Californians Against Sexual Exploitation Act (CASE ACT) ballot initiative for
inclusion on the November 2012 statewide ballot; and
WHEREAS,
the CASE ACT would increase prison sentences for human traffickers, require sex
traffickers to register as sex offenders and to disclose all internet accounts, increase fines to pay
for victim services, and mandate law enforcement training on human trafficking; and
WHEREAS,
the CASE ACT is supported by numerous law enforcement agencies across the
State including, among others, the California Association of Highway Patrolmen and California
Fraternal Order of Police;
NOW, THEREFORE,
the City Council of the City of Dublin does hereby support Proposition 35
– The CASE Act Ballot Initiative which would strengthen penalties against human trafficking and
protect sexually exploited children.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED
this __th day of _______, 2012, by the following
vote:
AYES
:
NOES
:
ABSENT
:
ABSTAIN
:
ATTACHMENT 1
______________________________
Mayor
ATTEST
:
_________________________________
City Clerk
ATTACHMENT 1