Language supported by U.S. Rep. Mimi Walters
(R-CA) that addresses online sex trafficking made it into digital trade provisions of the recent United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Rep. Walters collaborated with the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to ensure language from bills she supported – the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA) of 2017, S. 1693, and the related Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA), H.R. 1865, which were signed into law in April – became part of the USMCA to ensure the nation carries out a commitment to end human trafficking, she said.
“I’m pleased the USTR recognizes the importance of my efforts to put an end to trafficking, and took steps to ensure Mexico and Canada, our top trade partners and key allies, protect individuals from online sex trafficking,” Rep. Walters said on Oct. 4.
“My SESTA legislation made it abundantly clear that websites that knowingly traffic individuals online can – and must – be held responsible for these illegal activities,” the lawmaker said. “As we move forward with other trade agreements, I’ll continue my unwavering commitment to putting an end to this despicable crime.”
Prior to the enactment of SESTA-FOSTA, websites that hosted sex trafficking advertisements couldn’t be prosecuted per Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protected websites from being held responsible for any type of content posted online by users, according to a statement released by the congresswoman’s office.
SESTA amended Section 230 to allow sex trafficking survivors to seek justice by enabling them to pursue federal civil claims against websites that knowingly promote, support or facilitate online sex trafficking, according to the statement, while FOSTA criminalized the intent to promote or facilitate the prostitution of another person.
The USMCA states that the United States, Mexico and Canada “agree that measures necessary to protect against online sex trafficking, sexual exploitation of children, and prostitution, such as Public Law 115-164, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017, which amends the Communications Act of 1934,” as well as specific Mexican and Canadian laws, “are measures necessary to protect public morals.”