Nebraska state senators voted unanimously to advance a major anti-trafficking proposal taking new steps to prosecute human traffickers, target trafficking rings, and expand access to services for survivors.

LB 519, introduced by Senator Julie Slama, increases the statute of limitations for trafficking of an adult and possession of child pornography from three to seven years, and abolishes the statute of limitations entirely for trafficking cases involving minors and possession of child pornography with the intent to distribute.

A statute of limitations establishes the time frame in which a crime can be prosecuted. If the length of time from the date of an alleged offense has passed beyond the statute of limitations for that crime charges can no longer be brought.

Extending the statute of limitations for trafficking of an adult and eliminating the statute of limitations for trafficking cases involving children is an important and necessary change. Survivors often delay coming forward out of fear or shame and need time to heal before pursuing justice.

The trafficking of children and distribution of child pornography is an egregious and abominable crime. LB 519 recognizes this and ensures that those who engage in the most heinous criminal activities can be brought to justice.

LB 519 also zeroes in on trafficking rings by authorizing law enforcement to utilize wire-taps in order to monitor the communications of sex traffickers, similar to what is already allowed in cases involving kidnapping, robbery, bribery, extortion, and drug deals.

Portions of LB 516, introduced by Senator Patty Pansing Brooks, were also amended into LB 519 to recognize child sex trafficking victims whose trafficker was not a parent or caregiver as an abused and neglected child, therefore ensuring the child is eligible to receive needed services and support through the Department of Health and Human Services.

As reported by the Associated Press, LB 519 is “the latest step in a multi-year, bipartisan push to clamp down on human trafficking in Nebraska. Lawmakers in recent years have increased criminal penalties for traffickers, cleared the way for more lawsuits by victims and shifted state law so that it focuses more on punishing pimps and johns while helping survivors.”

Ensuring justice for victims and empowering law enforcement to target and pursue traffickers and child-predators are worthy and necessary goals for lawmakers to pursue.

According to the Governor’s Task Force on Human Trafficking, at least 47 Nebraska school girls are known to be trafficked each year, but the actual number is likely much higher, and a Human Trafficking Initiative study found that 900 individuals are offered for sex online each month in Nebraska.

Strengthening laws against human trafficking is an essential way to combat this issue in our state, but the critical work of public education and awareness must continue.

Here are three ways you can join NFA in seeking an end to human trafficking in Nebraska. 

If you think you have come in contact with a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-3737-888 or visit www.polarisproject.org for more information and resources.

Nate Grasz

Nate Grasz

Policy Director
Nate is the Policy Director at Nebraska Family Alliance and host of the Capitol Report program.