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The three bills signed by McDonnell increase punishment for human trafficking of minors, improve sharing of information between law enforcement agencies, and order state agencies to develop more services for victims of human trafficking.
But before he brandished his pen, McDonnell and the other lawmakers present made it clear that increased awareness among all Virginians may be the most important tool in fighting this type of crime.
"Human trafficking is something that is not talked about much," McDonnell said, "and in fact not nearly enough."
Delegate Tim Hugo of Fairfax County helped usher the measures through the General Assembly.
"What it does is it says to the criminals: 'You are not welcome in Virginia,'" Hugo said.
Legislators say Northern Virginia is a hub for human trafficking because of its international airports and ease of movement along Interstate 95.
The National Human Trafficking Resource Center ranked Virginia in the top 10 among states in terms of calls to its hotline over a three-year period.
Though estimates very widely, more than 800,000 people are thought to be trafficked across international borders every year.
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In 2003, Richard Rubin set out to talk to every American veteran of World War I he could find. With help from the French, he tracked down dozens of centenarian vets and recorded their stories in a new book called The Last of the Doughboys.The Great Charcoal Debate: Briquettes Or Lumps?
Does the kind of charcoal you use really make a difference when it comes to grilling up a tasty steak or other food on the grill? Yes — but deciding which one to use depends on what you're after. Both briquettes and lump charcoal — aka "natural" hardwood charcoal — have their advantages and disadvantages.Analysis: Republicans' Immigration Bill Could Come At Expense Of Democrats' Visa Bill
David Hawkings, political columnist at Hawkings Here for Roll Call, talks about the latest behind a Virginia lawmaker's push to get a high-skill immigration bill in the House.
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The Federal Trade Commission is in the early stages of opening an antitrust probe into how Google runs its online display advertising business, according to a report by Bloomberg News, citing sources who want to remain anonymous because the FTC has not announced the probe.Leave a Comment
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