Volume 124 Issue 89
kansan.com
Friday, February 3, 2012
ASHLEIGH LEE/KANSAN
Gov. Sam Brownback shares his experiences of witnessing human trafficking in multiple countries from Uganda to North Korea during a lecture Thursday night in the Kansas Union Ballroom. Brownback encouraged students and local residences to take action by working with redemption programs and going to countries to see first hand the affects of human trafficking.
VIKAAS SHANKER
vshanker@kansan.com
Gov. Sam Brownback stressed the importance of community involvement while giving a talk and answering questions at the Kansas Union Ballroom about human trafficking Thursday night.
Brownback shared why he thought human trafficking was an important issue to a crowd of more than 200 people at the event hosted by the Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center.
"It's important, it's key, it's happening in your world," he said. "You need to do something about it."
Brownback started to explore the issue of human trafficking when he
heard about occurrences in Sudan. He visited in 2004 and listened to anecdotal stories. Since then he has visited shelters in different countries with trafficking problems including Uganda, North Korea and Myanmar.
The U.S. Department of Justice defines human trafficking crimes as actions that "focus on the act of compelling or coercing a person's labor, services, or commercial sex acts."
Brownback wanted to give the audience an idea of how trafficking affects the people in these countries. "It's the worst you can imagine," he said.
Brownback was an original cosponsor of the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, a bill
However, Kansas is specifically considered a state with weaker laws, according to political science graduate student Laura Dean, who played an integral role in getting Brownback to speak on campus.
"We're missing lots of things like victim service protection," Dean said. "Many victims suffer STDs or are pregnant when they come in."
that sparked reform of trafficking laws. The act was renewed in 2008.
Dean, 31, researched trafficking in Kansas and worked in a shelter for trafficking victims in Latvia. "Right now they go to half-way houses," she said. "But there are no shelters dedicated specifically to trafficking victims."
"Pick an area and focus on it," he said. "...give (victims) a name and a face."
He also said he talked to Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little, who was in attendance, about raising money for a center of human trafficking on campus where students can earn degrees that would help them eliminate trafficking.
After the event, Dean said she was glad a large crowd showed up and that Brownback had some good points. "I think he showed his knowledge on the subject," she said. "It was a great opportunity to share his experiences."
Brownback hopes his talk raised awareness of trafficking.
"I hope they get the scope of what's happening," he said. "And I hope some of them were motivated."
Brownback said he hopes law-
Edited by Nadia Imafidon
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"The University police have as much authority by state law as any other police officer in the state of Kansas within their jurisdiction," said Chris Keary, University assistant chief of police.
The only tickets issued on campus handled exclusively by the University are parking tickets. All other tickets issued are the same as any citation given by Lawrence police officers. Keary gave the example of a speeding ticket, saying that one issued by University police will be handled at the Douglas County Courthouse and the fine will be the same as if issued by city police.
Campus police jurisdiction extends to all property owned or operated by the University, board of trustees, the endowment association, athletic associations, student groups associated with the University and fraternities and sororities, though Keary said the University generally lets the LPD handle calls
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and make stops in the others' jurisdiction if a crime is observed by an on-duty officer. Both LPD and the University can also enter others' jurisdiction while in pursuit, or if there is reason to believe a person who committed a violation is in other jurisdictions.
"We can also enter other jurisdictions when asked to do so by the governing police department," Keary said. "Years ago we used to go to Manhattan to help with the KU and K-State games, because they asked us to, and when we were there, we had the same powers they did."
Pierce thinks if he had known that information beforehand, he might have behaved differently.
"I was polite," Pierce said. "But if I would have known to take it as serious as if anyone were else were stopping me, I probably would have done me a little different."
Index
CLASSIFIEDS 11
CROSSWORD 4
CRYPTOQUIP 4
OPINION 5
all contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2012 The University Daily Kansan
Edited by Nadia Imafidon
Today's Weather
SUA's Spring Campus Series is featuring the film "Immortals" tonight. Go see an inexpensive movie with your friends.
Showers and a chance to thunderstorms. Winds gusty from the east.
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"it's raining men, halletujah!"