Sound of Freedom Act signed into Alabama law, increases sentence for human traffickers

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WALA) - A new anti-human trafficking bill was signed into law Wednesday by Governor Kay Ivey. For a convicted trafficker, it ups their minimum sentence to life in prison when the victim is a minor.

Governor Ivey said Alabama now leads the nation with the most aggressive anti-human trafficking law.

It’s called the ‘Sound of Freedom Act,’ named after a movie released last year inspired by a true story of a little girl who was trafficked.

It’s sponsored by representative Donna Givens of Loxley.

One mother who’s been personally impacted by human trafficking said this is a win for Alabama.

“They are taking life from children,” said Cricket Vigor. “I firmly believe we need to take theirs.”

Vigor’s daughter was almost trafficked at 12 years old, and she said this new law will better protect children and their families.

“We’re winning,” said Vigor. “At this point in the state of Alabama, we have set the standard that we absolutely will not tolerate trafficking of our minor children, the most vulnerable of our society, and what a sentence for someone to receive.”

Under Alabama law, the existing sentence for human trafficking in the first-degree is 10-99 years, according to the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office.

The Sound of Freedom Act changes it to a mandatory life sentence for victims 18 and younger.

According to End It Alabama, the average age of sex trafficking as a victim is 11 to 14 years old, 80% of victims are girls, and human trafficking is the second largest criminal industry in the world only behind drug trade.

Vigor added a warning to parents to never let your guard down.

“Today was very important,” said Vigor. “Parents need to be alert. They need to know who their kids’ friends are because it’s not the friends you see them playing with on the street. It’s not those on the ball field. Who’s on the device? Who’s behind the screen? Who’s sitting with us at the table, in our living rooms, that we never see?”

The Sound of Freedom Act will become effective October 1.

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