ACNA WA Antitrafficking ThinkTank

FIGHT HUMAN TRAFFICKING

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Urgent Action Needed—HB 2526

Urgent Action Needed—HB 2526

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What is Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights, involving the exploitation of people through force, fraud, or coercion for purposes such as forced labor, sexual exploitation, and domestic servitude. It affects millions of men, women, and children around the world, often hidden in plain sight. This issue matters because it strips individuals of their freedom, dignity, and basic rights—causing lasting harm to victims and eroding the fabric of communities. Our mission is to raise awareness, support survivors, and work toward a world where every person can live free from exploitation.

What is the ThinkTank?

The ACNA WA Antitrafficking ThinkTank’s purpose is to educate ourselves about human trafficking and anti-human trafficking with a view to seeking the Lord’s guidance about how we might best respond. We wish our responses to be thoughtful and informed, have a meaningful impact, be sustainable and reflect well who we are as Anglicans in Washington State. Potential areas of response could be anything from working for better legislation in Washington State, to advocating with public officials, to deepening our involvement in helping survivors out of trafficking. Our group is for anyone in an ACNA parish in Washington State.

If you are interested in participating and/or would like additional information, please email us.

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Monthly Meetings

Our monthly meetings are via Zoom, usually the 2nd Thursday of the month, from 8:00–8:40 p.m. Pacific. We generally ingest some new information and discuss it, so they are participatory.  

Topics we've covered:   

  • Had a planning session on topics we'd like to cover. 

  • Learned about labor trafficking by walking through and discussing the US District Attorney’s summary of a landscaping slavery case that occurred on Vashon Island, Washington. 

  • Reviewed the signs of human trafficking and discussed and planned how we would train our parish in them. 

  • Debriefed and discussed the June 2025 webinar on sex trafficking presented by Josh Cuellar of REST.

  • Review, discuss, and learn the 4 Ps of anti-human trafficking—Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, and Partnerships—to think about how we in the church can best contribute to these. 

  • Deep dive on the effort to create an Ebony Alert in WA State to address the disproportionately high rate of disappearances of Black people, and the connection with sex trafficking.

Future Topics: 

  • Learn about the state of anti-human trafficking legislation in WA State.

  • Understand the immigration status of trafficked persons who are not US citizens (many are).

  • Find out more about Allies Against Slavery’s Lighthouse data platform to understand human trafficking in WA State. 

  • Deep dive on the Seattle City Council’s new Stay out of Areas of Prostitution (SOAP) ordinance aimed at reducing sex trafficking on Aurora Avenue North—and how effective it is. 

  • Review plan to create a Churches and Pastors Forum to interact with publicly elected officials about our concerns about human trafficking in WA State.

Urgent Action Items—HB 2526

Commercial Sexual Exploitation

A new bill, HB 2526 Concerning Prostitution, would make patronizing a prostitute a felony, as opposed to a misdemeanor (as it is now).

This legislation is not about moral posturing or political alignment. It is about addressing a grave injustice that exists in our own region.

  • Seattle has one of the most prolific sex-trafficking markets in the United States, particularly along Aurora Avenue North.

  • Large international events, including the World Cup coming to Seattle in June–July 2026, are consistently associated with increased human trafficking.

  • The vast majority of the commercial sex industry today involves individuals—often women and children—who are compelled through force, fraud, or coercion.

HB 2526 seeks to reduce demand for sexual exploitation. Law enforcement agencies have limited capacity and must prioritize felony crimes. By elevating this offense, the bill would give police and prosecutors stronger tools to intervene in systems that prey upon the most vulnerable members of our communities.

Notably, this effort has been supported by the Seattle Police Department as well as King and Pierce County Prosecutors, who have urged the Legislature to act.

The Time to Contact Legislators is Now

In this non-budgetary year, the WA State Legislature will meet for only 60 days, from January 12–March 12, so it’s critical if you would like to help this bill pass, that legislators hear from us now. 

How to Contact Your Legislator (and Sample Messaging)

To contact your legislator, click this link, fill in your address, click "Find my District," click on your legislator's name, and write a message, or use the sample message below.  

Dear Rep. {Name}, 

I am writing to you in support of HB 2526, Concerning Prostitution. The majority of the commercial sex market today is comprised of sex slaves—women and children who are forced into this slavery via force, fraud, or coercion. At present, the patrons of these sex slaves operate with relative impunity and face few legal consequences for their actions.  Elevating this crime to a felony would allow law enforcement to focus on greater enforcement, and tamp down demand in this marketplace that preys on the most vulnerable people in our community. Please vote "Yes" in favor of HB 2526. 

Sincerely, 

{Your name} 

Everyday Things to Do—It’s On Us

Underreporting of trafficking is one of law enforcement’s biggest problems. We can help!

  • Know the signs of human trafficking.

  • Have the National Human Trafficking Hotline number (below) in your cell phone.

  • Be aware of your surroundings.

  • If you see or notice something, call the hotline and report it.

National Human Trafficking Hotline:
1-888-373-7888

Know the Signs—Two Kinds of Trafficking

There are two primary kinds of trafficking: labor and sex. Labor trafficking makes up about 70% of all trafficking in the US and WA State, with sex trafficking making up the other 30%. Please read the facts below to know the signs of each.

The below information was sourced from the National Human Trafficking Hotline, the Port of Seattle, and the WA State Office of the Attorney General websites.

Sex Trafficker Warning Signs

Here are a few signs someone might be a sex trafficker:

  • Significantly older than companions

  • Is vague about his/her profession

  • Jealous, controlling, and violent behavior

  • Very touchy, doesn’t want to let the victim out of their sight/arms

  • Promises things that seem too good to be true

  • Promises that what they’re doing is a good idea/ for the better

  • Buys expensive gifts or has expensive items

  • Makes the victim feel responsible for his/her financial stability

  • Open about financial matters

  • Encourages inappropriate sexual behavior

  • Pushy or demanding about sex

Sex Trafficking Warning Signs

Here are a few signs someone might be a victim of sex trafficking:

  • Older partner or new friends with a different lifestyle

  • Physical abuse such as burn marks, bruises, or cuts

  • Withdrawn, depressed, distracted, or checked out

  • Dressed less appropriately or new expensive clothes, shoes, or accessories

  • New tattoo (Tattoos are often used by traffickers as a way to brand victims. Look for tattoos of a barcode, name, or symbol of money. These tattoo designs could indicate trafficking.)

  • Brags about making or having lots of money

  • Sexualized behavior

Labor Trafficking Warning Signs

Here are a few warning signs someone might be a victim of labor trafficking:

  • Feels pressured by their employer to stay in a job or situation they want to leave

  • Owes money to an employer or recruiter or are not being paid what they were promised or are owed

  • Does not have control of their passport or other identity documents

  • Is living and working in isolated conditions, largely cut off from interaction with others or support systems

  • Appears to be monitored by another person when talking or interacting with others

  • Is being threatened by their boss with deportation or other harm

  • Is working in dangerous conditions without proper safety gear, training, adequate breaks, or other protections

  • Is living in dangerous, overcrowded, or inhumane conditions provided by an employer

Most Common Industries for Labor Trafficking

  • Domestic labor 

  • Agriculture 

  • Landscaping 

  • Day labor sites 

  • Garment factories 

  • Meat-packing plants 

  • Door-to-door sales 

  • Chain and fast food restaurants, bars 

  • Nail salons

Trainings & Webinars

The Church’s Response to Human Trafficking

On June 4, 2025, Josh Cuellar of Advent Anglican in Woodinville and Real Escape from the Sex Trade (REST), addressed the contours of sex trafficking in the Seattle area and how REST has helped survivors escape the sex trade. This event was hosted by the Diocese of the Rocky Mountains (DRM) Justice & Mercy Team and co-sponsored by the ACNA’s Matthew 25 Initiative.