FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July, 18^th, 2013

Philip Minardi, (202) 225-9203 or Philip.Minardi@mail.house.gov 

Paulsen, Slaughter Fight Child Sex Trafficking

Introduce Legislation to Improve Data and Ensure Victims Receive Needed Care 

Washington, D.C. –  Representatives Erik Paulsen (R-MN) and Louise Slaughter (D-NY) introduced legislation today to crack down on the sexual exploitation of children in the United States. The Child Sex Trafficking Data and Response Act of 2013 improves the data systems that track missing children as well as provides the needed designation to ensure victims receive proper care and help. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that between 2008-2010, 83% of sex trafficking victims found within the United States were U.S. citizens and 40% of sex trafficking cases involved the sexual exploitation of children.

The legislation requires that child welfare agencies immediately notify the proper authorities when children go missing either from their homes or other childcare institutions such as foster homes or shelters.  This information will go into a comprehensive database to assist in tracking and locating these children.  The bill will also classify these children as victims, not just runaways, which allows them to receive the proper care and assistance, and help prevent reentry into the sex trade, rather than being placed in jail.  

“It’s easy to think that sex trafficking only happens far away or in other countries, but the truth is that exploitation of American children occurs every day across this country,” said Rep. Paulsen. “Too often, missing children go unnoticed and are preyed upon by a trafficker who lures them in with a safe place to sleep and a hot meal. This legislation takes necessary steps to track and find these victims and ensures they receive the care they need to lessen, and hopefully end, this disgusting practice.”

"We have an obligation to do everything we can to stop child sex trafficking, and it starts with fixing flaws in our child welfare system," said Rep. Slaughter, co-author of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000. "This legislation will address the sickening practice of sending victims of sex trafficking into the juvenile justice system and criminalizing them for no fault of their own, and would instead allow them to receive treatment and protective services from the child welfare system. This is a critical problem and we need to make sure these kids receive the protections and justice they deserve.”

The Facts of Sex Trafficking in Minnesota: 

·         The Twin Cities are among the top 13 places for child prostitution, as identified by the FBI. 

·         A 2010 study found that on an average weeknight in Minnesota, 45 girls under the age of 18 are sold online and through escort services.  

·         Some estimates show that the average age of girls being sex trafficked is between 12-14; and   

·         8,000-12,000 people are involved in prostitution/sex trafficking in Minnesota every day. 

Click HERE for more information on the legislation. 

For more information on Rep. Paulsen’s work in Congress visit www.paulsen.house.gov.

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