Politics & Government
Illinois Senate OKs Help for Human Trafficking Victims
State senators joined the House in passing a bill that would reimburse human trafficking victims for the removal of tattoos, or 'brands,' which offenders put on them to show 'ownership.'
Victims of human trafficking who have been "branded" with tattoos by those enslaving them got support from the Illinois Senate Wednesday, according to Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office.
State senators voted 58-0 to allow victims to be reimbursed out of the Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Fund for the removal of the tattoos. The Illinois House had earlier unanimously passed the measure, and it now goes to the governor.
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Criminal offenders who engage in human trafficking subject their victims to horrific abuse, Madigan's office said in a statement. They frequently tattoo victims to show "ownership" of them.
“Human trafficking victims are subjected to horrific physical and psychological abuse,” said Madigan, whose office helped craft the bill. “Providing assistance that allows them to eliminate the physical reminders of their enslavement is vital to helping these individuals recover and rebuild their lives.”
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The bill requires the victim seek removal of the tattoo with an authorized or licensed tattoo remover.
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