Michigan lawmakers are considering new protections for victims of human trafficking, updates that advocates say will both help survivors and allow authorities to better prosecute crimes.

As of 2023, Michigan authorities have identified more than 500 trafficking victims in the state and charged more than 30 perpetrators of these offenses.

Supporters say the bills would provide survivors with dignity and better ensure their attackers are brought to justice.

“These victims are often themselves accused of prostitution, trafficking, and lesser charges, or are forced to commit numerous other crimes, including drug crimes and theft, which are very common,” he said. said Melissa Palepu, chair of the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission.

The package of bills would overhaul Michigan’s handling of human trafficking, including expunging criminal convictions if they resulted from being a victim of trafficking.

“These crimes would have occurred when the survivor had little or no control over their actions, and likely would have faced significant consequences if they had not committed the acts that led to the convictions,” Palepu said.

The defense would operate in the same manner as other affirmative defenses, such as self-defense or insanity.

“It’s so scary that you could end up in prison for something so horrible that happened to you,” said Sen. Rosemary Bayer, D-West Bloomfield.

The package would also provide guidelines for expert testimony in human trafficking cases, grant some immunity to victims testifying against their attackers and allow some victim statements to be admitted in court without their presence.

“These bills would make a big difference, not only for survivors, but also for law enforcement who investigate these cases,” said Brian Martin, an investigator with the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.

“That we had to keep them in custody, then take them while they were still sick, and they should have been in the hospital – and put them on the stand in front of their trafficker so they could turn themselves in so that we could make these statements, it was heartbreaking,” he said.

The bills were unanimously approved by the House Judiciary Committee, and lawmakers hope they can pass the packed House and Senate by the end of the year.

“Passing these bills is a crucial step toward creating a Michigan that values ​​survivors, not as broken remnants of their past, but as strong, resilient individuals, worthy of justice, respect and of their own journey that they are proud of,” Robin said. Bolz, director of operations for UnSilenced.