Sex at the Super Bowl

By Rick Yencer

INDIANAPOLIS, IN -  The Indiana General Assembly managed to outlaw teenage prostitution in Indiana just in time for the Super Bowl on Sunday.

 Gov.. Mitch Daniels signed the measure into law Monday, that makes ti easier to prosecute and penalize people who engage in human trafficking. It was sponsored by State Rep. Randy Head, R-Logansport,, who raised the issue after finding out that sexual trafficking was common at sporting events and in other cities. Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller also encouraged lawmakers to pass the measure.

 According to the Initiative Against Sexual Trafficking, at least 14,500-17,500 men, women and children are trafficked illegally in the United State every year. And state that have hosted previous Super Bowls have found organized crime groups promoted teenage prostitution to out of town visitors.

 "The message we send today is 'Don't try it here," said Daniels. "Super Bowel XLVI in Indiana is where this practice ends."

 The law closes loopholes in present law that allowed some forms of human trafficking to go unprosecuted. And it broadens the penalties for those convicted of certain types of trafficking to a Class A felony that carries a 20-50 year prison term.

Prosecutors can bring charges against people who use force or fraud to make another person participate in sexual activity or those who promote the participation of children under 16 in sexual activity regardless of whether force was used or consent was given. The law also makes it a felony to sell or transfer custody of a child under 16 to participate in sexual conduct.