{"id":352187,"date":"2023-08-23T16:24:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-23T21:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/what-is-the-mann-act.html"},"modified":"2023-08-23T16:24:00","modified_gmt":"2023-08-23T21:24:00","slug":"what-is-the-mann-act","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/what-is-the-mann-act.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is the Mann Act?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Is the Mann Act?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Eric Harvey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

The Mann Act was enacted in 1910 to stop sex trafficking. But it was also misused to unfairly target people\u2014especially Black men\u2014based on outdated moral standards. It has been amended to focus more clearly on exploitation and trafficking, especially involving minors. it\u2019s still used today in serious cases, with strong penalties for those convicted.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Mann Act prohibits sex trafficking, but it was once a weapon of racism.<\/p>\n

The law, referred to as the “White-Slave Traffic Act” at the time, was amended a few times since its enactment in 1910. It is no longer used to justify the persecution of marginalized individuals. This article looks at the Mann Act, including:<\/p>\n