Hawaii's law on prostitution convictions is 1st in nation
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Victim of sex trafficking
Hawaii became the first state in the U.S. to remove a requirement that a person needs to be a victim of sex trafficking to have a prostitution conviction erased.
Legislation signed into law by Gov. David Ige tosses prostitution convictions for those who avoid additional convictions for three years, even if they can't prove they have been victims of sex trafficking.
Legislation signed into law by Gov. David Ige tosses prostitution convictions for those who avoid additional convictions for three years, even if they can't prove they have been victims of sex trafficking.
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Fear of pimp
Victim advocates say most trafficking victims aren't able to reveal or prove they're victims because they fear their pimp or sex buyer will retaliate.
They may depend on their pimp or trafficker for their livelihood. Ige called the proof of victimization requirement "unrealistic."
The legislation passed unanimously in the state House and Senate, which are both dominated by Democrats.
They may depend on their pimp or trafficker for their livelihood. Ige called the proof of victimization requirement "unrealistic."
The legislation passed unanimously in the state House and Senate, which are both dominated by Democrats.
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Sex trade starting at 13 years of age
Nationwide, the average age someone enters the sex trade is about 13, advocates say.
It's similar in Hawaii, but advocates say trafficking is a bigger problem in the islands because of the large tourism industry and military population.
Tammy Bitanga was 15 when she was trafficked into the sex trade in Waikiki after running away from her foster home.
She met an older boyfriend who had her selling sex in Waikiki, then sent her to Alaska where she worked in gentlemen's clubs and escort services.
She left when she got a ride to the airport and a relative bought her a plane ticket back home.
She now works for a nonprofit that helps girls recover from being trafficked.
It's similar in Hawaii, but advocates say trafficking is a bigger problem in the islands because of the large tourism industry and military population.
Tammy Bitanga was 15 when she was trafficked into the sex trade in Waikiki after running away from her foster home.
She met an older boyfriend who had her selling sex in Waikiki, then sent her to Alaska where she worked in gentlemen's clubs and escort services.
She left when she got a ride to the airport and a relative bought her a plane ticket back home.
She now works for a nonprofit that helps girls recover from being trafficked.
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Hard to leave prostitution
Bitanga was never arrested and doesn't have a criminal record.
But she supports the legislation for others, as a conviction on your record makes it that much harder to leave prostitution behind, she said.
Previously, the law allowed sex trafficking convictions expunged after six years, but only with proof of victimization.
But she supports the legislation for others, as a conviction on your record makes it that much harder to leave prostitution behind, she said.
Previously, the law allowed sex trafficking convictions expunged after six years, but only with proof of victimization.
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Complex and overlapping trauma
The organization says it has helped 135 victims escape sex slavery over the past 10 years.
Each suffered "complex and overlapping trauma" including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety and substance abuse, the group said.
Each suffered "complex and overlapping trauma" including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety and substance abuse, the group said.