Last Thursday August 15 marked a huge step forward for the protection of victims of human trafficking when Gov. Henry McMaster ceremonially signed S. 142, the Safe Harbor law. This legislation prevents human trafficking victims from being prosecuted for nonviolent crimes they were forced to commit while being trafficked.

Victims of human trafficking are often forced by captors to engage in illegal activity. After they are freed, many victims are forever haunted by their criminal record, unable to break free from the past.

Safe Harbor now protects victims from being charged for crimes that they committed to preserve their lives and permits the records of trafficking victims to be expunged for crimes like prostitution. This bill is a necessary step to help victims of trafficking regain their freedom and pursue a better life.  

The law also makes attempting to lure a child illegal. Shockingly, prior to this law’s passage, it was not illegal to attempt to lure a child unless it became a case of kidnapping. Now, it is a crime. 

In celebration of the event, Gov. McMaster posted on X (Twitter). 

“I have signed a bill that creates the crime of child luring and strengthens protections for human trafficking victims across South Carolina,” he wrote. 

The South Carolina Catholic Conference is tremendously grateful for the work of Sen. Katrina Shealy, Gov. McMaster and the General Assembly for passing this into law. We are committed to seeing the end of this grave evil in our state, our country and around the world.  

Thursday was also the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, where she was taken into heaven in both body and soul to be with Jesus forever. May Our Lady of the Assumption, protector of the vulnerable, pray for us and all victims of human trafficking.