Sen. Shamp Calls for Action on Proposition 313 to Safeguard Children

By Daniel Stefanski |

In Arizona, state officials are campaigning vigorously for Proposition 313, a ballot measure aimed at enhancing protections against child sex trafficking. With the November election approaching, advocates are urging voters to recognize the urgency of the issue.

State Senator Janae Shamp has been a vocal proponent of the proposition. If approved, Proposition 313 would enforce life sentences without parole for anyone convicted of a Class 2 Felony related to child sex trafficking. Currently, sentencing varies between 7 years and life, contingent upon factors such as the victim’s age and the defendant’s criminal history.

Shamp underscored the gravity of the situation by sharing alarming data about the rise in sex trafficking, citing a post from Donald Trump’s ‘War Room.’ The post described the escalation of this criminal activity as the fastest-growing enterprise in the U.S., attributing this horrifying trend partly to lax border policies.

“Ordering sex trafficking victims is just as simple as ordering pizza,” the post claimed, emphasizing the severity of the crisis.

The Arizona Legislature placed this measure on the ballot following efforts led by State Senator Shawnna Bolick. Her commitment to combating child exploitation shines through her statements. “Every two minutes, a child is trafficked for human exploitation in the U.S.,” she stated, stressing the alarming average age of entry into sex trafficking at just 14 years old. Bolick revealed that traffickers often target even younger victims, noting that children as young as five are at risk.

Moreover, Bolick highlighted the trauma victims endure, often being removed from family and forced into heinous circumstances. With the rise of social media, she warned that predators frequently exploit children online, sharing their images in increasingly dangerous spaces like the Dark Web. “Your YES vote on Proposition 313 will protect children from sexual exploitation,” she pleaded to the voters.

Support for the measure also comes from law enforcement officials. Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes, representing the Arizona Sheriff Association, argued for more substantial penalties for traffickers. “Currently, the sentences don’t match the severity of the crime,” he asserted. Under Prop 313, those convicted would face life imprisonment for trafficking.

Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb added, “A yes vote on Prop 313 means standing up for our children and equipping law enforcement to hold perpetrators accountable.” He emphasized the importance of sending a clear message that child exploitation will not be tolerated in Arizona.

Senator Shamp recently attended a town hall event in Maricopa County alongside national advocate Riley Gaines, where the focus remained on raising awareness about Proposition 313. Together, they called for community support to ensure that “no child is for sale in Arizona or America.”

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.