State Rep. Cindy Abrams Introduces Sexual Exploitation Database Legislation

Monday, December 9, 2019 at 6:15 AM

The bill would direct the Attorney General's office to develop and maintain a database of individuals who have been convicted of solicitation or promoting prostitution.

(Harrison, Oh.) - A local lawmaker has introduced a bill that would create a Sexual Exploitation Database in Ohio.

State Rep. Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) and Rick Carfagna (R-Genoa Township) recently announced the introduction of House Bill 431.

If passed into law, the bill would direct the Attorney General's office to develop and maintain a database of individuals who have been convicted of solicitation or promoting prostitution.

Under House Bill 431, after an individual is convicted of solicitation or promoting prostitution, the offender's information will be added to the database for a period of five years, unless the offender successfully petitions to be removed earlier under certain circumstances - such as an overturned conviction.

“This important legislation would mandate that when johns, pimps, and traffickers are convicted of their crimes, their names, addresses, photographs and offenses would be added to the Sexual Exploitation Database,” Rep. Abrams said. “I came face to face with this crime as a former law enforcement officer. Prostitution on the street fuels drug addiction, sex trafficking and the spread of disease. This is a devastating cycle that needs to be broken. If we can shine a light on this crime, especially those enabling it and supplying the demand for it, I believe we can effect real change.”

Ohio is currently the fourth worst state for human trafficking in the nation.

Attorney General Yost has praised the proposed legislation, stating, “Basic economics works under the premise of supply and demand – and right now we have a demand problem in Ohio. Our goal is to reduce the demand and in return rescue victims from this modern-day slavery. Making that a reality starts by unmasking and penalizing those who buy sex or profit from human trafficking.”