Rep. Kustoff Votes to Enhance Criminal Penalties Against Online Sex Trafficking

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative David Kustoff (TN-08) today released the following statement after voting for the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 (H.R. 1865), also known as FOSTA, which the Congressman cosponsored.

"We must put an end to modern day slavery, and that begins with strengthening criminal penalties to hold perpetrators accountable," said Congressman Kustoff. "Today's internet marketplace is rampant with solicitations for sex trafficking because there are no serious, legal consequences for websites, like Backpage.com, that profit from the exploitation of women and children. I am proud to cosponsor this strong legislation that better equips our law enforcement by enhancing criminal penalties and gives victims a pathway to justice."

The Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act would create a new federal criminal law against websites that intentionally promote prostitution, lower the standard of proof necessary to prosecute websites for hosting sex trafficking content, create a civil right of action for sex trafficking victims and ensure that certain state level prosecutions for sex trafficking can proceed notwithstanding Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.