The Citizens Were Heard, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Oct 2009
The Citizens Were Heard, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
Congratulations to the citizens of Rhode Island and national anti-trafficking advocates for the legislative victory in Rhode Island. This past week, the Rhode Island Assembly passed an unprecedented pieces of legislation that will protect victims from sex industry predators and give law enforcement the tools they need to arrest pimps, traffickers, and “johns.”
Victory In Rhode Island, Donna M. Hughes Dr., Michael Horowitz
Oct 2009
Victory In Rhode Island, Donna M. Hughes Dr., Michael Horowitz
Donna M. Hughes
In stunning culmination of a David-Goliath struggle that, at least until lately, few believed the David side had the slightest chance of winning, the Rhode Island legislature enacted three major anti-trafficking bills last night that the Governor will soon sign into law.
Testimony For Trafficking Bill, Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee, Oct 2009, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Oct 2009
Testimony For Trafficking Bill, Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee, Oct 2009, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
I am here to support a trafficking bill that will do two things:
1) Criminalize forced labor as a form of human trafficking.
2) Make it easier to prosecute sex trafficking of minors by removing the requirement to prove force, fraud, or coercion.
Protect Our Children, Jenny Meyen, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Aug 2009
Protect Our Children, Jenny Meyen, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
There is something very disturbing about a business that advertises they are for “men and children” and evidence exists that this business has sexual acts occurring in the same building. That business is Gateway Barber and they advertise that they do haircuts, but that is not the only thing they do. According to the internet they are known as Salon 657 and described as offering erotic services. Gateway Barber is located on West Main Road in between two family restaurants. By all appearances one would assume that this is a “family business”.
Updates From Middletown, Melanie Shapiro Esq, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Aug 2009
Updates From Middletown, Melanie Shapiro Esq, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
Asian spa-brothel closes; Middletown Council passes anti-prostitution resolution
Action Alert For Senate: Comments On Human Trafficking Bills, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Jun 2009
Action Alert For Senate: Comments On Human Trafficking Bills, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
Rhode Island Senate President Paiva-Weed has said that she is “confident that we will address the issue of prostitution and human trafficking” this session (, Sunday, June 21, 2009, p A6). The votes in the Senate are crucial to Rhode Island getting a prostitution law and improving our trafficking law! There are competing bills, so it can get confusing. Remember, there are two versions of the prostitution bill (a House and Senate version) and two versions of the trafficking bill (a House and Senate version).
Governor Carcieri Calls For Passage Of Prostitution Bill, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Jun 2009
Governor Carcieri Calls For Passage Of Prostitution Bill, Donna M. Hughes Dr.
Donna M. Hughes
On Thursday (June 18, 2009), Governor Carcieri held a press conference to support Gianinni’s prostitution bill (H 5044A) and her House trafficking bill (H 5661A). Giannini’s bill will create laws against prostitution to “close the loophole” as it is often referred to. Joining the governor were Representative Joanne Giannini, the sponsor of the bills, Stacey Pires Veroni, Assistant Attorney General, Col. Doherty, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, Representative Roberto DaSilva, and Donna M. Hughes, Professor at the University of Rhode Island.
