Flake, McCain introduce anti-sex trafficking Senate bill

PHOENIX — Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake were two of 20 senators to introduce a bill designed to hold websites liable that allow people to advertise sex trafficking.

The Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act was targeted at Backpage.com and other websites that have argued they were protected by communication laws despite allowing people to advertise for sex trafficking.

“Sex trafficking is a deplorable crime and companies like Backpage.com that knowingly facilitate it are reprehensible,” Flake said in a statement.

The act would allow victims a chance to seek justice from the website, eliminate federal liability protections and allow state law enforcement agencies to take action.

“It is disgraceful that the law as written has protected Backpage from being held liable for enabling these horrific crimes,” McCain said in a statement. “Our legislation would eliminate these legal protections and ensure companies like Backpage are brought to justice for violating the rights of the most innocent among us.”

McCain’s wife, Cindy, has been an advocate for victims of sex trafficking for years. She said she supported the act.

“These are simple solutions and changes being made,” she said.

Cindy McCain said Backpage and other websites use special codes to get away with posting the ads.

“They know what they’re doing,” she said. “They have changed and worked over the language themselves to help sell it even better and keep it more vague.”

Some have argued that classified websites were protected under free speech laws. Cindy McCain said that argument did not fly with her.

“I don’t consider the sale of a child for sex freedom of speech,’ she said. “I consider it a federal crime.”

KTAR News’ Martha Maurer contributed to this report.

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