January 11, 2011 09:16 AM (PT)
Today, Washington State Attorney General McKenna is joined by Shared Hope International to release the first Protected Innocence Report Card - Washington. The Report Card is based on the Protected Innocence Legislative Framework and sets a national standard of protection against domestic minor sex trafficking. Washington State is blazing a path to protect their children from child sex trafficking. First, bi-partisan leadership from across the state came together to amend the Promoting Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor law, which significantly increased penalties for traffickers and buyers of children. Additionally, YouthCare opened the state's first shelter specifically funded and programmatically designed as a safe haven for child victims of sex trafficking. However, despite these strides forward, Washington received a “C”, indicating that Washington still has significant legislative gaps to close in an effort to create safe environments for Washington’s children.
The embracing of the Report Card by Attorney General McKenna, in spite of the mediocre grade, shows his commitment to advancing Washington’s efforts in strengthening laws that would protect children from traffickers. In December at the National Association of Attorney’s General, Attorney General McKenna challenged his colleagues to take Protected Innocence Initiative back to their states and to make combating child sex trafficking a top priority in 2011.
Several months ago, nearly two dozen of the 69 child victims recovered in a national crackdown on child sex trafficking were from Washington state. Additionally, nine pimps were arrested. While this highlights the severity of the issue for Washington it also shows that law enforcement agencies are taking aggressive action toward combating the crime. In a report on sex trafficking in Spokane, WA, one service provider stated child sex trafficking was a big problem in the area. Spokane was documented as an entry area for the recruitment of children by pimps – that children are initiated and groomed there before being moved into the larger metro areas or into other states.
The Protected Innocence Legislative Framework outlines six areas of law critical to protecting and responding to domestic minor sex trafficking. The Report Card identified several areas of Washington law that should be applauded for its strength such as the high penalties for those who buy and sell children and significant impact on trafficking operations through asset forfeiture. Additionally, it provides a road map in the necessary legislative and policy changes necessary to ensure protection for the victims and punishment for the criminals who exploit them.
The Washington Report Card outlines four critical legislative changes needed:
- Amend the state human trafficking law to align with the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act by eliminate the requirement of force, fraud or coercion in cases of child sex trafficking.
- Amend the patronizing a prostitute law to distinguish the solicitation of a minor with reference to commercial sexual abuse of a minor and/or human trafficking law as the applicable crime and penalty. Currently, the law on solicitation/patronizing a prostitute does not differentiate adults from a minor and is a misdemeanor – regardless of age.
- The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) should amend their definition of caregiver to include a “person in control and possession of a sexually exploited child” to bring a child victim of trafficking within the protection of DSHS.
- Amend laws to increase investigative tools for law enforcement by allowing for audio-taping conversations with persons involved in sex trafficking without need for a court order.
Linda Smith, Founder of Shared Hope commended the work done in 2010, which she recognizes for raising Washington’s grade to the resulting “C”. However, Smith challenges: “We must ask ourselves, is a barely passing grade good enough for our children?”
Smith and many other tireless advocates agree: Washington can and must do better – our children are depending on it. Shared Hope’s Protected Innocence Report Card reveals the gaps that still exist and allow the buying and selling of children. These gaps continue to keep the pockets of traffickers filled and exploit the innocence of children. Please join me in asking several key leaders to uphold their commitment to Washington’s children by strengthening the laws this legislative session!
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Photo credit: PinkStock
Melissa Snow is currently the Director of Programs for Shared Hope International and works to expand and establish shelter and services for survivors of sex traffickingSource: humantrafficking.change.org
Washington Receives a "C" on Child Sex Trafficking Laws | End Human Trafficking | Change.org
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