Washington, D.C.– Today, the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary approved legislation authored by Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) that encourages states to adopt ‘Safe Harbor’ laws classifying minors involved in sex trafficking as victims, not criminals. The legislation, H.R. 3610, The Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking (SETT)Act builds on what some states—such as Minnesota—have done successfully to combat sex trafficking.

“Best practices prove that safe harbor laws work,” said Paulsen. “By incentivizing states to pass their own safe harbor legislation, we can ensure that minors are protected and that more resources are dedicated to arresting and prosecuting the real criminals. Instead of turning a blind eye to sex trafficking, we need to provide an avenue for victims to escape and get the services they require.”   

According to estimates, more than 100,000 children in the United State are exploited every year through sex trafficking. H.R. 3610 is scheduled to be voted on the House floor in May. The bill’s passage in committee today follows a bipartisan op-ed last month by Congressman Paulsen and Rep. GwenMoore (D-WI) detailing the importance of passing safe harbor legislation.

Background

The bill also:

•          Helps victims of sex trafficking by making them eligible for Job Corps.
•          Establishes a national human trafficking hotline that will make it possible for the general public to report criminal acts relating to trafficking.
•          Improves Department of Justice oversight of restitution payments to victims.

Further information on Congressman Paulsen’s efforts to combat sex trafficking can be found here.

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

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