Update (3/11/25): Sex Trafficking Bill Moves Forward with S.C. Senate Committee Vote
Human trafficking is not some faraway problem — it is happening right here, in our communities, in our neighborhoods, and even in our backyards.
Far too many people still hold to outdated beliefs about prostitution, imagining it as an individual choice made by consenting adults.
The reality could not be more different.
The sex trade is not an industry of personal agency; it is an industry of coercion, violence, and exploitation where
- victims are often groomed from childhood;
- many are lured in by false promises of love, security, or economic opportunity;
- some are drugged and manipulated to ensure compliance; and
- most experience extreme violence, rape, and psychological control.
In February, First Rights Global (FRG) President & CEO Catherine Glenn Foster testified before a South Carolina Senate Judiciary Subcommittee in support of S.235, a bill designed to crack down on the buyers fueling the human trafficking industry. She was joined by survivors of human trafficking, whose powerful testimonies revealed the brutal realities of the sex trade and the urgent need for legislative action.
The sex trafficking industry in South Carolina alone is a $250-500 million per year business. This is not some loosely connected chain of illegal activities; it is an organized and highly profitable criminal enterprise — with products, buyers, sellers, recruitment, marketing, transportation, retention, and disposal — preying on the most vulnerable by exploiting the root of broken human connections.
At FRG, we recognize that while eradicating human trafficking must include comprehensive care and restoration for the victims and survivors, we can’t forget about the demand side. Without buyers, there is no business. That is why we are leading efforts to pass S.235, a critical bill in South Carolina that would elevate the penalty for purchasing sex from a misdemeanor to a Class F felony, punishable by up to five years in jail and a $1,000 fine.
The Reality of Trafficking in Just One State
The statistics are staggering. In just a few South Carolina communities, the number of human beings being advertised for sale online reaches shocking levels.
These are not just numbers. These are people — often minors, lured or forced into the trade by traffickers who use violence, deception, and addiction to keep them trapped. They are human beings being sold and discarded, over and over again.
While traffickers supply the victims, the demand for paid sex is what keeps the industry alive. What’s rarely discussed is that many buyers are also struggling. The people purchasing sex are often battling loneliness, addiction, marital issues, or psychological struggles. Traffickers understand this and exploit not just their victims but also those who are willing to pay.
However, while many buyers are suffering, their choices have consequences. Every transaction feeds the trafficking machine. Every purchase fuels another cycle of abuse. That is why legislation like S.235 is so necessary in every state in America—because we cannot shut down sex trafficking unless we target those creating the demand.
A Proven Solution: The Nordic Model
The approach behind S.235 is not experimental — it’s proven. Countries like Canada, Norway, and Sweden have adopted what’s known as the Nordic Model, which punishes buyers while protecting victims. In these countries, demand has dropped, and trafficking has significantly decreased.
The United States has seen similar results in places where penalties against buyers have been strengthened. Texas (2021) and North Carolina (2024) have already enacted similar laws, and they have seen trafficking numbers decline. South Carolina — and every state for that matter — must follow suit by passing legislation like S.235.
Shutting Down the Industry
At First Rights Global, we believe that whether we’re talking about the 1800s or 2025, human life is not a commodity. We refuse to stand by while tens of thousands are being sold in our communities. That is why we are taking action:
- advocating for S.235 to increase penalties on buyers and reduce demand,
- educating lawmakers and citizens on the realities of sex trafficking,
- connecting with local organizations who work with trafficking survivors, and
- supporting survivors as they rebuild their lives after escaping the cycle of exploitation.
This is not just a fight against a crime — it is a fight against a business model that thrives on suffering.
Action Is the Key
Human trafficking will not stop unless we act. We need lawmakers, law enforcement, and citizens to stand together, spreading awareness, educating communities, and refusing to allow this industry to thrive in silence. And we need to offer variety of rehabilitative therapies that address demand, including:
- Solicitor rehabilitation programs: Require convicted solicitors to attend “John schools,” educating them on the exploitation and trauma caused by their actions.
- Trauma-informed training for offenders: Include sessions where survivors of trafficking share their experiences to humanize the consequences of exploitation.
- Mandatory therapy for traffickers: As part of sentencing, require traffickers to undergo rehabilitative therapy to address underlying issues like violence or manipulation.
Every life matters. Every person deserves freedom. Let’s take a stand and fight back against the business of exploitation — because the price of a human life must never be measured by the hour.
UPDATE: Sex Trafficking Bill Moves Forward with S.C. Senate Committee Vote
On Tuesday, March 11, 2025, the South Carolina Senate Judiciary Committee voted favorably on S.235, which elevates the penalty for purchasing sex from a misdemeanor to a felony, punishable by up to five years in jail and a $1,000 fine. In 2024, the State of North Carolina passed a similar law. Lawmakers in the Palmetto State are pushing forward on this bill to stop the flow of human trafficking and protect those who are victims of this organized and highly profitable criminal enterprise.
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