TCA 39-13, TBI Trafficking Study and you

(Reference materials:
http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/bill...=HB0171&ga=107
http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/bill...=HB0172&ga=107
http://www.tbi.state.tn.us/documents...yColorrev2.pdf

But whats it mean babee?

1)Tennesse Bureau of Investigation did a study including (but not limited to): law enforcement and social workers focused on trafficking of minors (specifically age 9-17) for the past 24b months in TN only.

78 counties in Tn (85%) reported at least one case of sex trafficking of a minor with Davidson Co (59 cases/6.4%); Shelby Co (43 cases/4.6%), Hamilton Co (42 cases/4.5%) and Knox Co (41 cases/4.4%) as 1,2,3 and 4 respectively.

Davidson, Shelby, Hamilton & Knox also reported over 100 cases of human sex trafficking (18yo and up/adult) as did:

Madison, Lawrence, Coffee and Franklin counties.

*Note:Of 929 surveys used in the study, the highest return rate for the surveys were LE (94% return), with guardian ad litem (court appointed guardians) the lowest (7% returned) and group homes/social workers next lowest (16%) and court response at less than 50% - 40%. This means (to me) responses were heavily skewed. Read on and see.*

This report (requested in 2010) was cited in the changes above.

TCA (Tennessee Code Annotated aka "TN Law" <we have codes not laws fyi>) will be amended on July 1 2011 as follows (synopsis in layman's terms)

1)Trafficked and/or "pimped" minors will no longer be charged with prostitution (usually) but will be considered and treated as victims. By law, state & local authorities now have to help these victims. That's expensive right? Sooooo

2)Jewelry, household goods, electronics, vehicles, homes, land and and all "real property" of traffickers and/or pimps will be confiscated and distributed by the clerk of the court <---that means LOCAL - ie city/county. Soooooooo NOW LE makes money off of arrests ie its self funding now. Get it?

3)Paying for sex with a minor goes from misdemeanor to felony.

(look around, along with the "it's illegal to carry a gun into this bar" there will be new signage in bars, hotels taht have a liquor license or have been deemed a public nuisance, massage parlors, adult entertainment establishments, truck stops, welcome centers, airports and bus & train stations saying "If you are not here of your own free will call 1-800 whatever"

Upshot:
More stings.
More stings targeting pimped/managed/trafficked
Tougher laws for pimps and johns
Help for the exploited

Moral of the story?

Independent Adult (duh)

I think the moral for me is reinforcement of the notion that smart and literate women make me tingle in my "special place."

Seriously though, one thing this means is there may be more stings related to girls "implied" to be underage or "barely legal," especially if there's a judge or DA willing to attempt to prosecute on "intent" to have sex with a trafficked minor.

One more reason to stay well away from BP...

On another note, I've wanted to see you ever since I heard all the gushing reviews; when are coming back to Nashville so I can clear my schedule? :-)