Human trafficking goes on under our noses; don't be so defensive

To The Daily Sun,

First of all, reporter Michael Kitch of the Laconia Daily Sun didn't even get the House Bill number correct when writing about a bill sponsored by Rep. Brian Gallagher. HB-1628 — not HB-1525 — is the one in which any sexual activity involving a minor would be a Class B felony.

Secondly, children are not prostitutes, they are victims. The media needs to familiarize themselves with our updated human trafficking statutes and the revised language.

Thirdly, the administration of both the Laconia Motorcycle Week and the New Hampshire Speedway need to stop being defensive and realize that just because there have been no arrests doesn't mean this activity is not going on right under their nose. I know that our esteemed Merrimack County Sheriff, Scott Hilliard, and Bethany Cottrell the Merrimack County Child Advocacy Director have had discussions with the people at the speedway on this subject.

Those of us who have been to conferences and forums on human trafficking have learned that "you don't see it unless you are looking for it." Maybe the speedway should hire people during a big race for the sole purpose of "looking for" illicit activity.

I am going to take the liberty of quoting a very astute individual, former N.H. Justice of the Supreme Court and former Dean of the UNH Law School John Broderick. He looked me in the eye and told me that when the Super Bowl was in New Jersey an estimated 10,000 children were sold for sex. He specifically said most of these were 13-, 14-, 15-year-olds. They are not prostitutes. If that isn't enough to make your blood boil I don't know what is. I wish this knowledge was not imprinted on my brain.

I commend Rep. Gallagher for sponsoring this bill. I believe the only way we can stop this evil business is to arrest the customers, the evil pedophiles who purchase children for sex. Splash their names all over the media. Incidentally, seven years in the slammer isn't enough. Also, I would add castration as an additional penalty. If there wasn't a market this evil business would not exist.

I just wish Rep. Gallagher had one Democrat among his sponsors. It seems to be the case among us politicians that we don't give the other party any credibility, even if they have a good idea. I hope that's not the case here. I even agreed with Neil Kurk a couple times. I will be looking for the schedule of committee hearings on this bill.

Liz Blanchard

Penacook