Who we are
California Against Slavery is a group of Californians appalled by the injustice of modern day slavery in our state and around the world.
Our mission is to strengthen California state laws to better reflect the personal and societal impact of human trafficking. Our goal is to put an initiative on the 2012 California ballot to strengthen current human trafficking laws and increase victims’ rights.
California Against Slavery is run entirely by volunteers. To get the initiative on 2012 ballot, we need you to get involved by donating, fundraising, and volunteering.
What we believe
- Every person has an inherent dignity. Our society and laws must uphold and protect this fundamental principle.
- Human trafficking is a crime against human dignity and a deprivation of basic human and civil rights.
- Allowing any form of slavery to exist severely impacts our society and communities. It is a problem that concerns us all.
Origins of California Against Slavery
The founding of California Against Slavery was inspired by a MSNBC documentary (” Sex Slaves in America“) about a human trafficking case in Detroit, MI. It illustrated how current laws do not hold traffickers accountable for the severity of the crime. The two men convicted of enslaving 16 women through threats and coercion, forcing them to work as strip club dancers, were only sentenced to 14 years and 7 years. When you do the math, the sentence of each trafficker does not even reflect one year per victim. The women, however, will spend the rest of their lives recovering from the horrors of being held in bondage for commercial and personal sexual exploitation.
We soon learned that California state laws are not effectively holding traffickers accountable, so we started California Against Slavery to strengthen state human trafficking laws.
Why an Initiative?
To make widespread change and lasting impact, we must change the law. This has been true historically.
The initiative process is the most direct form of democracy. It allows citizens to bring the issues directly to the voters to change the law. Putting the CAS initiative on the ballot will be a turning point in the fight against human trafficking in California. It will:
- Enact laws with teeth to deter and punish the wrongdoers and recognize and protect victims. Our judicial system should bring justice to victims, not victimize them further.
- Prompt active awareness. We’re not just laying out the issue. We’re saying to over 17 million voters, “Human trafficking is happening here, now you need to make a decision if you want to stop it.”
- Pave the way for future legislation. Once lawmakers know that voters care and want action, they will rally around it.
- Set a new standard for human trafficking laws. Other states look to California before they enact new laws. We can set the standard for the rest of the country. We can lead the way and set the bar high.
Sure, the initiative process has been misused by special interest groups with money. Special interest groups spend so much more money and time lobbying behind closed doors to influence legislation. At least with initiatives, the issue is brought forth for all voters to decide.
We need this turning point. We must do what it takes and as long as it takes to get this initiative on the ballot.
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