State Senator Fran Pavley’s (D-Agoura Hills) Senate Bill 1091, a bill to help increase convictions of perpetrators against children and other vulnerable victims by helping them testify without fear, was approved this morning by the Senate Public Safety Committee on a unanimous, bipartisan vote.

SB 1091, sponsored by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, will provide trial assistance for victims of child pornography, pimping, pandering and for sex trafficking. Current law allows trial assistance for crime victims testifying for preliminary exams; trials involving homicide, elder and dependent abuse; rape and most crimes, but it does not include the assistance for certain sex crimes against minors and other victims.

Senator Pavley said this bill closes the loophole in the law. Senator Pavley said, “Victims in child pornography cases are in need of protection and the comfort of a support person. If they are called to testify, they have to recall horrific and traumatic experiences.”

Jim Provenza, Special Assistant District Attorney with Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office said, “This legislation would give the child the right to have up to two support persons present during court testimony. Experience has demonstrated that the presence of support persons helps victims testify accurately and completely.”

Provenza added, “Testifying in court is a very traumatic experience for a young child, particularly a victim of human trafficking or other sex related crimes. Ms. Kathleen Cady, Deputy District Attorney from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office Victim Witness Assistance Program testified on the importance of providing support for traumatized victim’s testifying in emotional court trials.

Senator Pavley said, “SB 1091 could help provide humane support to witnesses critical in the prosecution of approximately 126 pornography cases, 97 prostitution cases and 3 human trafficking cases in Los Angeles County alone.”

SB 1091 now moves to the Senate Floor for consideration of the full Senate. In addition to the bill’s sponsor, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, other supporters include the California Police Chiefs Association, California Communities United Institute, California Victims United of California, the Junior Leagues of California and the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking.

To see article and related news go here: http://studiocity.patch.com/articles/senator-pavley-s-bill-to-increase-convictions-for-sex-crimes-against-minors-approved-unanimously-in-senate-committee

President Obama is declaring January to be National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. “We stand with all those who are held in compelled service,” Obama wrote in a proclamation issued today. “We recognize the people, organizations and government entities that are working to combat human trafficking; and we recommit to bringing an end to this inexcusable human rights abuse.”

Obama wrote that “trafficking networks operate both domestically and trans-nationally, and although abuses disproportionally affect women and girls, the victims of this ongoing global tragedy are men, women and children of all ages.”

In declaring National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Obama noted that Jan. 1 is the 148th anniversary of the effective date of the Emancipation Proclamation. Obama’s full proclamation:

“Nearly a century and a half ago, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation — a document that reaffirmed the noble goals of equality and freedom for all that lie at the heart of what it means to live in America. In the years since, we have tirelessly pursued the realization and protection of these essential principles. Yet, despite our successes, thousands of individuals living in the United States and still more abroad suffer in silence under the intolerable yoke of modern slavery. During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we stand with all those who are held in compelled service; we recognize the people, organizations and government entities that are working to combat human trafficking; and we recommit to bringing an end to this inexcusable human rights abuse. Human trafficking endangers the lives of millions of people around the world, and it is a crime that knows no borders.

“Trafficking networks operate both domestically and transnationally, and although abuses disproportionally affect women and girls, the victims of this ongoing global tragedy are men, women and children of all ages. Around the world, we are monitoring the progress of governments in combating trafficking while supporting programs aimed at its eradication. From forced labor and debt bondage to forced commercial sexual exploitation and involuntary domestic servitude, human trafficking leaves no country untouched. With this knowledge, we rededicate ourselves to forging robust international partnerships that strengthen global anti-trafficking efforts, and to confronting traffickers here at home. My administration continues to implement our comprehensive strategy to combat human trafficking in America. By coordinating our response across federal agencies, we are working to protect victims of human trafficking with effective services and support, prosecute traffickers through consistent enforcement, and prevent human rights abuses by furthering public awareness and addressing the root causes of modern slavery. The steadfast defense of human rights is an essential part of our national identity, and as long as individuals suffer the violence of slavery and human trafficking, we must continue the fight. With the start of each year, we commemorate the anniversaries of the Emancipation Proclamation, which became effective on January 1, 1863, and the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery, which was signed by President Abraham Lincoln and submitted to the States for ratification on February 1, 1865. These documents stand as testaments to the gains we have made in pursuit of freedom and justice for all, and they remind us of the work that remains to be done. This month, I urge all Americans to educate themselves about all forms of modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human trafficking. Together, and in cooperation with our partners around the world, we can work to end this terrible injustice and protect the rights to life and liberty entrusted to us by our forebears and owed to our children.

“NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2012 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, culminating in the annual celebration of National Freedom Day on February 1. I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the vital role we can play in ending modern slavery and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.”

www.ktvu.com/videos/news/palo-alto-local-incidents-inspire-law-to-curb/vFZx2/

http://networkedblogs.com/ljdZE

Kelly Martinez’ husband, Raul, has spoken at legislative hearings for the past two years, and has helped a great deal to have this and our previous perinatal depression bill pass. We received the following message from Raul:

“Thank you all so much for your efforts. Words can’t describe how much this means to our family. Thank you. Raul”

Thank you to everyone for your efforts in supporting the passage of ACR53– another success in addressing the needs of people who may suffer from perinatal depression.

To see the latest photos of our delegates and legislators recognizing ACR 53, view the links below:

https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1ZDyeBajEUJRMnrP7Kpa07F-ExT_R7XA8UUkffAwx-Vw

https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1ZDyeBajEUJRMnrP7Kpa07F-ExT_R7XA8UUkffAwx-Vw

http://laperinatalmentalhealth.com/news-events-2/

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.226518940697388.76165.125339114148705

Perinatal Depression Awareness PSA

AB 839 “Breakfast First” is gaining momentum . . . and press coverage!  Click this link to read the April 21st article in the Monterey County Weekly:  http://mcweekly.www.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/2011/apr/21/building-breakfast/

Health

AB 137 Health Care Coverage: Mammographies (Portantino)

AB 395 Newborn Screening Program (Pan)

AB 581 Public Health Food Initiative (John A. Pérez)

SB 255 Breast Cancer Surgery (Pavley)

SB 36 County Health Matching Funds (Simitian)

Family Support

AB 181 Foster Youth Mental Health Bill of Rights (Portantino)

AB 194 Public Higher Education: Priority Enrollment Foster Youth (Beall)

AB 212 Fostering Connections to Success Act (Beall)

SB 299 Employment Pregnancy or Childbirth Leave (Evans)

SB 33 Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse (Simitian)

Education

AB 123 School Safety:  Disruption Threatening Pupil’s Immediate Physical Safety (Mendoza)

AB 25 Athletics: Concussions and Injuries (Hayashi)

Violence Prevention

AB 12 Abolition of Child Commerce, Exploitation, and Sexual Slavery Act of 2011 (Swanson)

AB 322 Forensic Evidence: Rape Kits (Portantino)

AB 545 Domestic Violence: Corporal Injury (John A. Pérez)

AB 588 Tenancy: Victims of Domestic Violence (V. Manuel Pérez)

AB 630 Public Safety: Bullying (Hueso)

AB 799 Commercially Sexually Exploited Minors (Swanson)

SB 557 Family Justice Centers (Kehoe)

SB 723 Restraining Orders (Pavley)

 SPAC will convene again in Sacramento on April 30^th and May 1^st for their annual Spring Conference where the bills that the SPAC sub-committees are currently watching will be discussed.