State lawmakers want to crack down on sex trafficking.

This modern day slavery can happen to every gender, race and economic class in our community.

It’s also a business – one that’s worth up to $150 million in South Carolina alone.

The sex slave industry works just like any other. If there is a demand, someone will fill it.

Fighting it is Lighthouse for Life, a nonprofit which aids victims and educates the Lexington County community about sex trafficking.

Bob Healy, their public policy director, aims to change state law which punishes sex workers the same as those who buy sex.

SC law is lenient.

First-time offenders face up to a $200 fine.

By comparison, littering fines are $200 to $1,087 or up to 30 days in jail.

Healy hopes to put commercial sex industry penalties where they belong – on the buyers. He says public condemnation of sex buyers will drive down the demand.

If that happens, Healy believes the commercial sex industry would collapse overnight.

Senate bill S. 188 would protect minor victims of sex trafficking from being prosecuted for prostitution or other crimes committed under coercion. Read the full bill at https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess123_2019-2020/bills/188.htm .

Its companion Senate bill S. 194 increases penalties for sex buyers and those involved in coercing victims into sex work.

Find the bill at https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess123_2019-2020/spref19/pref19s1.htm .