Washington, D.C. – The House Judiciary Committee today released a video on the impact the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA) is having to stop online sex trafficking and protect women, children, and men from this heinous crime. FOSTA, signed into law earlier this year, provides restitution for sex trafficking victims and enhances criminal penalties for websites that facilitate illegal prostitution or sex trafficking.

Background: In April 2018, President Trump signed into law FOSTA, which is a product of the House Judiciary Committee. In December 2017, the Committee approved FOSTA by voice vote and the House of Representatives approved it in February 2018.

What FOSTA does:

Holds Bad Actors Accountable: clarifies that section 230 of the CDA does NOT grant immunity to websites that facilitate sex trafficking

Creates a New Federal Crime: websites that have the intent to promote or facilitate illegal prostitution can be prosecuted under the new 18 U.S.C 2421A created by the bill

Increases Criminal Penalties: prosecutors can seek higher penalties for websites who promote the illegal prostitution of 5 or more persons or act with reckless disregard of the fact that sex trafficking occurs on their website

Enforces Existing Laws: allows state and local prosecutors to enforce sex trafficking statutes and the new 2421A

Provides Restitution for Victims: gives victims of sex trafficking a pathway to sue bad actor websites for conduct violating the new criminal law, 2421A

https://judiciary.house.gov/press-release/video-fosta-is-putting-an-end-to-online-sex-trafficking/