Legislation Introduced to Protect Child Victims of Human Trafficking

Dear Friends,

This week, I announced the introduction of legislation, S.B. 851, to better protect child victims of human trafficking from prosecution.  Last session, Act 105 of 2014 (S.B. 75) was an enormous victory, but the fight to stop human trafficking and protect victims is far from over.  In 2014, there were 113 reported cases of human trafficking in Pennsylvania, according to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center.

Many children are the victims of trafficking, commonly forced into sexual servitude or prostitution.  Over 100,000 children are exploited through prostitution in the United States each year.  Traffickers psychologically manipulate these children, often with the use of illegal drugs.  As a consequence, children have been charged with prostitution, drug possession, loitering, and other offenses that are inherently related to prostitution.  Because they are often not recognized as victims, they are often charged with crimes instead of receiving the services and protection they deserve.

S.B. 851 would require law enforcement to first presume that those under 18 years of age who are arrested for a sex crime have committed their acts under the threat of force and are victims of human trafficking.  The legislation would require law enforcement to report to the Department of Human Services any encounter with a minor who has been subject to sexual exploitation.  The Department will develop a state-wide protocol to deliver safe long-term housing, education, life-skills training, and counseling to child victims.  Police would be trained to identify and assist sexually exploited children.  The bill would require that sexually exploited children be diverted from the criminal justice system to more appropriate human services.

For many years, we have treated the victims of trafficking as criminals and the criminals as victims. Our children deserve the protection of the child welfare system, not re-victimization and incarceration in the juvenile justice system.

Keith Valley Middle School Jazz Band Performs at Capitol

On Wednesday, June 10th, the Keith Valley Middle School Jazz Band gave a performance in the rotunda of the State Capitol.  Joining me to welcome them were State Representatives Tom Murt and Todd Stephens.