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Survivor and law enforcement urge committee to back S.235 to target buyers; amendment adopted
Summary
Survivors, law enforcement and advocacy groups told the Criminal Law Subcommittee S.235—titled the Demand Violence Reduction Act—would shift accountability toward buyers and modernize 1942-era statutes; the committee adopted a Johnson amendment and gave the bill a favorable report.
A survivor, law enforcement officials and advocacy groups urged the Criminal Law Subcommittee to back Senate Bill 235, the Demand Violence Reduction Act, saying it would shift accountability to buyers and help reduce violence tied to commercial sexual exploitation.
Heather Pagan, survivor support director for Lighthouse for Life, told members she was sold for sex from age 14 to 32 and described repeated physical violence and lifelong trauma. “Where demand exists, violence does follow,” Pagan said, urging lawmakers to confront buyers rather than further criminalizing victims. She told the committee South Carolina’s prostitution statute dates to 1942 and was last amended in 1989, and said modern technology has made it easier for buyers to find victims.
The bill’s supporters said S.235 would update statutory language, increase penalties for buyers and facilitators and give law enforcement clearer tools to investigate online solicitation. Lieutenant Jade Roy, supervisor of the Human Trafficking Unit at the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, said the bill strengthens accountability for buyers, facilitators and recruiters while preserving protections for victims. Roy cited investigative challenges tied to internet advertising and recommended adoption of amendment language under consideration.
Kyle Michelle, appearing for the National Center on ****** Exploitation, said neighboring states have increased penalties for buyers and that S.235 fixes drafting oversights from the senate version. Michelle said the committee’s amendment removes problematic language that could have left minors exposed to prosecution and clarifies penalties; he emphasized the bill includes no mandatory minimums for some offenses while retaining mandatory fines in parts of the penalty structure.
Chair Jeff Johnson offered a Johnson amendment, which the committee adopted by voice vote. The subcommittee then ordered a favorable report on S.235 as amended; roll call recorded aye votes from Chairman Johnson, Representative William Bailey, Representative Robbie Robbins and Representative Seth Rose.
The committee’s action moves S.235 from subcommittee with a favorable report; the next procedural step is consideration by the full committee as scheduled by legislative leaders.
