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The Mann Act, also known as the White Slave Traffic Act of 1910, prohibits the transportation of people for immoral sex or prostitution across state lines or any land owned by the US. It has been used to prosecute various crimes, including human trafficking and child pornography. The law was introduced in response to reports of white women being forced into prostitution in Chicago. The Mann Act has been amended over time and now protects both genders and minors. Breaking the law is a federal offense and can result in imprisonment.
The Mann Act, named for U.S. Representative James Mann, is also called the White Slave Traffic Act of 1910. The Mann Act makes it illegal to transport a person into or out of a state, territory, or any land owned by the United States for the purpose of immoral sex or prostitution. This law has been used to prosecute sexual relations between adults and minors, human traffickers and polygamists. Breaking the law is a federal offense and a felony.
The White Slave Act of 1910 was actually introduced in 1909. Its sponsor was an Illinois Republican named James Robert Mann. The need for the law was based on stories that Chicago had become home to white women imported into the United States and forced into prostitution. The act was made law in 1910 by President Taft.
The Mann Act was designed to discourage interstate commerce related to prostitution, debauchery, and immorality. The law still focuses heavily on the movement of individuals. This was because the motivation behind this legislation was to curb immoral sexual activities, although it was believed that Congress did not have the power to regulate such activities. Congress, however, has the power to control transportation between states.
At one time, the Mann Act’s wording was vague and specific crimes were not clearly delineated. Over time, the law has been changed and clarified on multiple occasions. One of the offenses that is now specifically outlined in the Mann Act involves child pornography.
When the law was first enacted, its main target was commercial activities. Eventually, the law has become useful for authorities seeking to prosecute consensual, non-commercial dating. For example, the term “immoral activities” has been extended to include polygamy. Including polygamous carrying allowed a man with multiple wives to be prosecuted when he carried women interstate or across international borders. Many uses of the law in pursuing noncommercial, consensual sex no longer apply; adulterous acts, for example, are no longer prosecuted under this law.
The Mann Act was originally designed to protect women. Now includes protection for both genders and minors. Because the Mann Act is a federal crime, federal courts have jurisdiction over cases arising under these laws. Someone prosecuted under this act is charged with a felony and, if convicted, is subject to incarceration in federal prison.
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