Two of St. Lawrence County’s state representatives -- Assemblywoman Addie Russell, D-Theresa, and Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush, R-Black River -- support the Trafficking Victims Protection and Justice Act.

Russell said the proposition, which has passed the Assembly, is “would help prevent human trafficking, strengthen protections for victims and increase penalties on traffickers.”

According to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, 80 percent of identified human trafficking victims are female and over 50 percent are children, according to Russell.

Additionally, there are an estimated 100,000 to 300,000 U.S. children currently caught up in sex trafficking. Russell said that human trafficking continues to be a serious problem in New York state, with victims often being runaway and homeless youth, youth in the juvenile justice system, children with histories of being abused, children with disabilities and refugees and immigrants.

“It is great to finally see passage of the Trafficking Victims Protection and Justice Act, which increases penalties for human traffickers. We have an obligation to do all we can to protect people from falling prey to these criminals, Blankenbush said. “Never in history has there been more slavery in the world than there is today, but finally New York is on the right side of the issue. I am proud to have been a sponsor of this legislation to help combat such a heartbreaking problem.”

“Human trafficking cannot be ignored – it is a tragic reality for too many families and children,” Russell said. “We are passing legislation in the Assembly to protect victims and increase awareness to help put an end to this horrific crime once and for all. We owe it to the brave victims who have suffered unimaginable physical and emotional trauma to support them on the road to recovery while holding their traffickers accountable.”

Russell represents the 116th Assembly District, the so-called “River District.” It includes all communities in St. Lawrence County along the St. Lawrence River, from Massena to Hammond, including Ogdensburg. It covers parts of Jefferson County, including Watertown.

Blankenbush’s 117th Assembly District covers much of southwest St. Lawrence County, including Gouverneur. It extends into Lewis County, southeast Jefferson County and parts of Oneida County.