FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, June 26, 2023
Republican Lawmakers Commit to Ending Child-Trafficking in Arizona
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— In response to an eye-opening new movie based on a true story aiming to shine a light on the horrific atrocities of child-trafficking worldwide, Senator Frank Carroll (R-28) and House Majority Leader Leo Biasiucci (R-30) are reaffirming their commitment at the Legislature to end this evil practice infiltrating communities as a result of the Biden Administration's inaction with our open border crisis.
The upcoming action thriller "Sound of Freedom" is set for release July 4 and promises to raise awareness by sharing the story of a former Homeland Security agent's efforts to rescue innocent kidnapped children from criminals exploiting them through labor and sex slavery in South America.
According to the Arizona State University Center for Child Well-Being, 291 children in Maricopa County alone were confirmed victims of child sex trafficking between 2017 and 2020. The average age of entry into sex-trafficking for Arizona youth is 13 years old.
Senator Carroll and Representative Biasiucci have worked in tandem in recent years to pass legislation addressing child-trafficking. HB 2889 (sentencing; sexual offenses; children) in 2021 and HB 2696 (mandatory sentences; children; trafficking; smuggling) in 2022 were both supported by Republicans and signed into law to enact harsher punishments against criminals convicted of human smuggling and child sexual abuse. The lawmakers also secured $10 million in the FY 2024 budget to support law enforcement in their human-trafficking investigations, while also preserving the funding allocated in FY 2023 for the Border Strike Force.
"We can't continue to turn a blind eye to this grave issue stealing the innocence and risking the lives of our precious children," said Senator Carroll. "It's our duty as lawmakers to protect those who cannot protect themselves, and I'm calling on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle at the Legislature, as well as the Governor, to recognize the dire need for commonsense protections and to take action next session. I vow to work tirelessly to bring justice to these victims and prevent further victimization."
“President Biden and his administration have willfully refused to secure the border, further enabling the criminals who enslave and exploit children,” said House Majority Leader Biasiucci. “Now, states must act where the federal government fails. The safety and well-being of children is a top priority for me, Senator Carroll, and the entire Republican Majority at the Legislature. We must, and will, continue to do everything we can to combat human smuggling and child sexual abuse.”
To purchase tickets for "Sound of Freedom" at a theatre near you, head to angel.com.
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus
Andrew Wilder
Director of Communications | Arizona State House of Representatives Republican Caucus
The Candy Jump and Swing Monkey games serve as inspiration for the slice master game. This skill game requires the use of a knife along with other objects.