BBC News - 'Cannibal plot' NY policeman Gilberto Valle on trial

BBC News - 'Cannibal plot' NY policeman Gilberto Valle on trial

2012 State Ratings Map | Polaris Project | Combating Human Trafficking and Modern-day Slavery

2012 State Ratings Map | Polaris Project | Combating Human Trafficking and Modern-day Slavery

Polaris Project has rated all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on 10 categories of laws that are critical to a basic legal framework that combats human trafficking, punishes traffickers and supports survivors.

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2012 State Ratings Map

Download the full 2012 state ratings map, state ratings chart, and methodology document here.
Download an individual state report here.
Read the press release here.
State Ratings Statistics

• 28 states (55%) passed new laws to fight human trafficking in the past year.
• As of July 31, 2012, 21 states are now rated in Tier 1 (7+ points), up from 11 states in 2011. Washington received 11 points, the most of any state.
• Four states are "Most Improved": Massachusetts increased by 12 points, South Carolina by 8 points, West Virginia by 6 points, and Ohio by 5 points.
• Four states -- the "Faltering Four" -- are now rated in Tier 4: Wyoming, Arkansas, Montana, and South Dakota. Last year, 9 states were in the bottom tier – the “Nine Lagging Behind.”
• Wyoming has yet to pass any human trafficking law and received -2 points, the lowest number of any state.
• 17 states, or one third of states, increased their rating by at least one tier compared to the 2011 ratings map.
• Polaris Project began tracking and mapping the progress of state anti-trafficking laws in 2007 when only 28 states had anti-trafficking criminal statutes. As of July 31, 2012, the number of states with anti-trafficking criminal statutes, including the District of Columbia, has grown to 48 with sex trafficking offenses and 50 with labor trafficking offenses.

Tier Descriptors

Tier 1 (7+ points): State has passed significant laws to combat human trafficking, and should continue to take steps to improve and implement its laws.
Tier 2 (5-6): State has passed numerous laws to combat human trafficking, and should take more steps to improve and implement its laws.
Tier 3 (3-4): State has made nominal efforts to pass laws to combat human trafficking, and should take major steps to improve and implement its laws.
Tier 4 (0-2): These "Faltering Four" states have not made nominal efforts to enact a basic legal framework to combat human trafficking, and should actively work to improve their laws.
Note: The 10 categories are not exhaustive of all the important legislation that helps combat human trafficking in a given state. ‬The ratings used to evaluate states do not assess the effectiveness or implementation of these laws, nor the anti-trafficking efforts of task forces, law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, service providers, and advocates in the state.

2012 State Reports

Please click on the link below for your individual state report which lists the statute(s) your state received credit for. This list is not necessarily exhaustive of all of the laws against human trafficking in each state, and only includes the laws from the 10 categories that we track for the state ratings map. For guidelines and examples of bill language, please consult Polaris Project’s Model Provisions of Comprehensive State Legislation to Combat Human Trafficking and Commentary. If you need technical assistance in enacting laws to fill in the gaps, please contact the Polaris Project Policy Program at policy@polarisproject.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Alabama	Illinois	Montana	Rhode Island
Alaska	Indiana	Nebraska	South Carolina
Arizona	Iowa	Nevada	South Dakota
Arkansas	Kansas	New Hampshire	Tennessee
California	Kentucky	New Jersey	Texas
Colorado	Louisiana	New Mexico	Utah
Connecticut	Maine	New York	Vermont
Delaware	Maryland	North Carolina	Virginia
District of Columbia	Massachusetts	North Dakota	Washington
Florida	Michigan	Ohio	West Virginia
Georgia	Minnesota	Oklahoma	Wisconsin
Hawaii	Mississippi	Oregon	Wyoming
Idaho	Missouri	Pennsylvania

For additional information related to your state, visit our State-by-State Resources Page.

2013 National Crime Victims' Rights Week: April 21-27th. New Challenges. New Solutions.

In the year 2013, the National Crime Victims' Rights Week takes place from Sunday, April 21st through Saturday, April 27th, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crimes in order to inspire our communities to observe the Victims of Crimes Act of 1984 (VOCA). The Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA) was an attempt by the federal government to help the victims of criminal actions through means other than punishment of the criminal. It created a federal victims-compensation account funded by fines assessed in federal criminal convictions, and it established provisions to assist state programs that compensated the victims of crimes. The compensation system is still in existence, having distributed over $1 billion in funds since it began. The statute, codified at 42 U.S.C.A. § 10601, was a direct result of a task force set up by the Justice Department under the auspices of President Ronald Reagan called the President's Task Force on Victims of Crime, the report issued by the task force in 1982 was harshly critical of existing victims-compensation programs. "In many states, program availability is not advertised for fear of depleting available resources or overtaxing a numerically inadequate staff. Victim claims might have to wait months until sufficient fines have been collected or until a new fiscal year begins and the budgetary fund is replenished," according to the report. VOCA established the Crime Victim's Fund, which is supported by all fines that are collected from persons who have been convicted of offenses against the United States, except for fines that are collected through certain environmental statues and other fines that are specifically designated for certain accounts, such as the Postal Service Fund. The fund also includes special assessments collected for various federal crimes under 18 USC § 3613, the proceeds of forfeited appearance bonds, bail bonds, and collateral collected, any money ordered to be paid into the fund under section 3671(c)(2) of Title 18; and any gifts, bequests, or donations to the fund from private entities or individuals. The first $10 million from the fund, plus an added amount depending on how much has been deposited in the fund for that fiscal year, goes to child-abuse prevention and treatment programs. After that, such sums as may be necessary are made available for the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to improve services for the benefit of crime victims in the federal criminal justice system, and for a Victim Notification System. The Office for Victims of Crimes has chosen this year's theme to be: "New Challenges. New Solutions." The mission of the OVC's strategic initiative is called Vision 21: Transforming Victims Services in the 21st century for the new millennium. According to Joye E. Frost, the Acting Director for the Office for Victims of Crimes, "in spite of all our progress, victims' rights laws in all 50 states, the Victims of Crime Act of 1984, the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, and the more than 10,000 victim service agencies throughout the United States of America--there are still enduring and emerging challenges for victims of crimes in America." About 50 percent of violent crimes are not reported, and only a fraction of victims receive the help they need. There are still ongoing investigations to know and find out more about these victimss, how to help them in the best way, and how the victims' services can be targeted to reach every victim. While adapting to funding cuts, globalization, changing demographics, new types of violent crimes, and the changes (both good and bad) brought by technology. These 21st century new challenges call for bold, new solutions. The promise and commitment of our Vision 21, will pave the way to the ongoing work with victims during the 2013 National Crime Victims' Rights Week, in order to transform victims' services in the 21st century--Office for Victims of Crime, Joye E. Frost, Acting Director

2013 Centennial Historic Anniversary For The Lombard Fire Department - CNN iReport

2013 Centennial Historic Anniversary For The Lombard Fire Department - CNN iReport

FBI releases 2011 crime data, Lombard shows increase in aggravated assault, otherwise decrease | Lombard | Suburban Life Media

FBI releases 2011 crime data, Lombard shows increase in aggravated assault, otherwise decrease | Lombard | Suburban Life Media

Criminal Village of Lombard Keith Steiskal and Chris Hanigan for the Fire Department Bureau of Inspectional Services

For the record, during 2005, SBC Telephone Repairman Edward Westenholtz, Telephone (630) 620-3858 (Office), and (312) 760-2829 (Pager), other unauthorized intruders trespassed and jumped over the fence of the Hung Family property, using the Carpenters’ driveway at 504 S. Westmore Avenue, into the Hung Family’s backyard at 502 S. Westmore Avenue in Lombard, to pull out the existing telephone lines, the rain gutters, the roof tiles, and all the supporting wooden structures for the roofing on the southwest side of the house. Then, SBC Repairman Edward Westenholtz and other unauthorized intruders left all the damages, debris, and wooden rubble all over the Hung Family’s backyard, over the flower beds, and on the existing lawn trampled in the backyard. In 2006, the City of Lombard and the Fire Department Bureau of Inspectional Services, Chris Hanigan and Keith Steiskal, blame Defendant Gardenia C. Hung for the municipal code citation and violation, when Defendant is not at fault nor guilty in this legal action for the criminal activities, damages, and extensive losses instigated by SBC Repairman Edward Westenholtz and other unauthorized intruders, trespassers who have committed a criminal public offense by the destruction of private real estate property owned by the Hung Family in Lombard, DuPage County, Illinois. SBC Repairman Edward Westenholtz and other intruders have maliciously and willfully destroyed private real estate property. They have deliberately and intentionally violated the Lombard International Property Maintenance Code of the Illinois Code of Ordinances in DuPage County. Consequently, Defendant, Gardenia C. Hung is not guilty nor liable as charged by Plaintiff in this legal matter. Under U.S. Constitutional law and the Illinois Compiled Statutes, any party or persons guilty of such criminal activity is liable for public offense, proportionate to the value of any property damaged, altered or destroyed, and thereby accountable for the Hung Family’s damaged property and all the losses, the destruction, and the crime caused by their wrongful criminal acts. For the record, the City of Lombard, the Police Department, the Fire Department Bureau of Inspectional Services, and local DuPage County law enforcement have not notified the Hung Family or advised the Defendant, Gardenia C. Hung, of any criminal activity to date.

Lombard Criminal Damages and Losses for the Estate of Mr. Roberto Hung Juris Doctor & Family

Lombard Criminal Disaster Damages and Losses Estate of Mr. Roberto Hung Juris Doctor, Daughter Gardenia C. Hung-Wittler, Nathan S. Wittler At 502 South Westmore-Meyers Road and Washington Boulevard, in the Village of Lombard, District 5, York Township, Du Page County, Illinois 60148-3028 USA.


Illinois Heinous Hate Crimes Commission, Illinois Victims of Crimes Division

U.S. Department of Justice, Office For Victims of Heinous Hate Crimes,

Office For Violence Against Women, High Crimes Division, Abuse of Human Rights in Housing Under The Law
FIRST FLOOR


Living Room

Toshiba Wide Screen Television, 44-inch Screen

Panasonic DVD Carousel Player

Video Rewinders

Olympia Camera owned by Nathan Scott Wittler

Binoculars

Camera Tripod

U.S. Portable Lawn Chair

Golf Club Putting

Aquarium 25-Gallon Table Top Tank

Green Marble Table

Antique Louis XVI Furniture Winged Chair

Queen Sofa-Bed

Love Seat

Teak Furniture

Electric Foot Basin

Hair Dryer

San Francisco Glass Picture Frame

Tulips Glass Picture Frame

Dining Room

Teak Wooden Dining Room Set for 8 Person with Chairs

Teak China Cabinet

(2) Two Lace Table Covers

Teak Desk Top with Shelves

Two (2) Computer Desk Tops

Kenmore Sewing Machine Portable

Peacock Embroidery Silk Threads in a Chinese Cookies Tin

Embroidery Threads in a Chinese Cookies Tin

Quilting Templates

Kitchen Appliances and Electronics

Refrigerator

Hitachi Automatic Bread Maker

KitchenAid Deluxe Mixer with (2) Two Aluminum Bowls, Pasta Accessories, Sausage-Making Accessories, Bread-Making Accessories.

Braun Food Processor with Baking Accessories, Blades, Food Processing Accessories, etc.

Cuisinart Food Processor

Delicatessen Meat Slicer

Potato Spiral Peeler

Braun Coffee Maker

Ice Cream Maker

Portable Buffet Roaster/Server from Sears

Pampered Chef Baking Containers, Glass Bowls, Bread Pans, Pizza Pans, Cooking Utensils, Wooden Spoons, Cooking Supplies, etc.

Spice Rack

French Provence Spices

Chef’s Butcher Block Rolling Cart

(2) Kenmore Deluxe Dishwasher and Regular Dishwasher

New Kenmore Deluxe Stove with Self-Cleaning Oven from Sears in Oak Brook, Illinois USA

Kitchen Butcher Block Knife Set

Porcelain Coffee Mugs

Antique Copper Baking Pans from New England

Master Bedroom

Queen Teak Bedroom Set with Two Nightstands and Touch Lamps

Teak Vanity Tri-Fold Mirror Dresser, Dresser Drawers

Queen Quilted Cover Collection

Bedroom Linen in the Closet

Guest Bedroom/Office for Communications, Languages & Culture, Inc.

Registered Software Stolen and Taken by the Village of Lombard and Thieves

Deluxe Graphics Software

WordPerfect Software

Business Marketing Software

Microsoft Windows Software

Packard Tower Computers Damaged

IBM PS2 Personal Computer

Sony Windows Me Software Computer

Hewlett-Packard Deluxe Office/Fax/Scanner/Printer

Office Supplies, Printing,

Photo Shop Software

Foreign Languages Software with Accents

Second Floor

Office

Antique Roll Top Desktop belonging to Mr. Roberto Hung Juris Doctor

Second Floor

Office

Packard Tower Computer

Computer Table Top

Kitchen

Ice Cream Maker

Food Processor

Coffee Maker

New Refrigerator

Porcelain Dishes

Stove

Automatic Rotisserie Roaster

Kitchen Supplies

Glass Servers

Salad Servers

Decanters

Expresso Coffee Makers

Glassware

Bathroom

Electric Tooth Brushes

(3) Three First Aid Kits

Second Floor

Kitchen Pans

Baking Pans

Bedroom

Single Bedroom Set with Two (2) Nightstand, Vanity Dresser, Dresser Drawers

File Cabinets

Bedroom Cover Set

Telephones, Portable, Mobile, Remote, Walkie-Talkie Set

Living Room

Antique Louis XVI Sofa with Two Winged Chairs, 3-Table Set

Large Television

Video Cassette Recorder

Video Rewinder

Portable Boom Radios

Bathroom

Toiletries

Bathroom Cleaning Supplies

Pantry

Food Supplies

Glass Decanters

Cooking Spices

Cabinet with Pampered Chef Spices

Pampered Chef Table Cloth Cover

Glassware

Baking pans, glassware, pie molds

Stairs Closet

Appliances for Vegetable Juice Maker

Vegetable/Fruit Dehydrator

Microwave Oven

Portable Electric Oven



Basement

Deluxe Sears Cardio-Vascular Walking Treadmill

New Kenmore Washer/Dryer Set

Montgomery Ward Washer/Dryer Portable

Kenmore Deluxe Dishwasher

Oven Master Roaster

Glassware for Bar Downstairs

Copper Trays

Silver Trays

Picnic Basket

Christmas Tree 6-Foot with Antique Ornaments

Glass Ornaments from Berlin, Germany Christkindlemarket

Sears Kenmore Buffet Server

Library Books

School Books

Camping Tent

Clothes

Wedding Albums

Porch and Wood Shed

U.S. Flag Large with Wooden Post

Wooden Picnic Table with Canvas Umbrella, Two Chairs

Toro Snow Blower Purchased by Mr. Roberto Hung in Lombard, Westmore-Meyers Road

Sears Gas Lawn Mower

Sears Deluxe Stratton-Briggs Lawn Mower with Large Bag

Home and Gardening Supplies, Plant Food, Seeds, Flower Baskets

Automated Jack for Flat Tires

Two-Car Garage

(12) Twelve Motor Vehicles, including 2003 Derbi Boulevard 150 CC Motorcycle

Mitsubishi Galant 4-Door Sedan with New Tires, Quaker State Oil Supplies, Deluxe Flat Repair Kit

Deluxe Cardio-Vascular Treadmill

Personal Fashion Clothing, Furs, Fur Hats, Hat Boxes, Leather Gloves

Winter Shoes, High Snow Boots from Neiman Marcus, Shoes, Golf Shoes