Arizona Republican lawmakers have introduced mirror bills that would make child sex trafficking a crime punishable by life in prison.
On Jan. 25, key sponsors of the legislation held a press conference at Arizona’s state capitol building in Phoenix, saying the measure seeks to put an end to the buying and selling of children for sex in the Grand Canyon State.
If passed in both chambers, the legislation would make Arizona one of the strictest states in the country regarding punishment for anyone engaging in child sex crimes.
“It’s important that Arizona take the lead on this. Other states look at us and try to follow us in other categories,” said Arizona Rep. Leo Biasiucci (R).
“This one now has come to the forefront. It’s extremely exciting to see that we are coming together to do it again this year.”
In 2021 and 2022, Arizona lawmakers passed two historic bills dealing with sex crimes that included life in prison without the possibility of parole or early release.
The new joint legislation would designate child sex trafficking in Arizona as a crime carrying a lifetime prison sentence, he said.
“This is a huge win for the state of Arizona,” Mr. Biasiucci said. “We want to make it clear to everybody in the state and across the country. Our children are not for sale. In this bill, we are throwing away the key.”
“With an administration in [Washington] D.C., that has failed us at the border, it is up to us to take the lead and do what needs to be done to protect our children.”
Key features of the joint legislation include “natural life” sentences for perpetrators of child sex trafficking and for individuals convicted of paying for sex with a minor.
There would be no eligibility for parole, commuting sentences, or early release from prison “under any circumstances.”
The bill also proposes amending the state constitution by adding harsher punishments for child sex trafficking in Arizona.
In Arizona’s largest county, Maricopa, there was a 29 percent increase in child sex trafficking victims identified from March to October 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, according to the Maricopa County Child Sex Trafficking Collaborative.
The Arizona Center for Child Well-Being at Arizona State University cited a report stating that between 2017 and 2020, 291 children in Maricopa County were “confirmed victims of child sex trafficking.”
The study’s other key findings included a steady drop in the age of child sex trafficking victims since 2017 and an “increase in child sex trafficking victims having their parents as guardians, instead of being in the custody of the Arizona Department of Child Safety.”
Arizona Rep. Selina Bliss (R), the prime sponsor of HCR2042, said at the press conference that the proposed bill offers the “strongest protection for the most vulnerable” in Arizona, which is the children.
She said the average age of entry into child sex trafficking in Arizona is 14.
“We’re talking about boys and girls,” she said. “Simply put, under this amendment, if you sell a child or buy a child, you’re going to prison forever.”
“Let me be clear. Harsher punishment isn’t our goal. But it is the ending of the selling and buying of children in Arizona that is our goal.”
Arizona Sen. Shawna Bolick (R), a key sponsor of SCR1021, said that with Arizona’s “wide open border and derelict government agencies,” cases of human trafficking are increasing in Arizona.
She described those who engage in child sex trafficking as “disgusting animals.”
“Arizona’s children are our most valuable resource. You have to listen to us loud and clear. If you knowingly try to engage in sexual acts with minors in Arizona, you are going to jail for life,” Ms. Bolick said.
“We believe in this message so much that we want to enshrine it in our constitution. It’s time to hold these traffickers accountable for these heinous crimes against our children.”
Sherry Lopez of Arizona said she was sold into child sex trafficking for seven years by her boyfriend’s father at age 15. A woman named Pearl eventually was able to rescue her.
“This does happen in our schools. It is happening in our schools,” Ms. Lopez said. “I cannot thank you all enough from the bottom of my heart” for sponsoring legislation to combat child sex trafficking in Arizona.
“Arizona must be a place where the innocence of our youth is protected, and justice prevails,” said Ms. Bliss. “Those who prey on the innocence of the young will face the full weight of the law.”
