New Legislation Helps Children Who Are Victims of Sex Trafficking

By Sandra Widlan

The terms “sex trafficking” and “human trafficking” and “the commercial sex trade” are often used interchangeably to describe situations in which women and girls are coerced into prostitution.  During the first six months of 2013, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center received 312 phone calls reporting human trafficking in Washington.  Three-quarters of those callers reported sex trafficking.  One-third of the reports involved children and teenagers.  According to a Seattle Times Editorial published last month:

The average age of those who enter this form of modern-day slavery is about 13 years old.

Hundreds of children throughout King County are experiencing the same kind of exploitation.

One of the many problems survivors of sexual exploitation face is that by the time they are able to extricate themselves from these bonds, they frequently have convictions on their record making it difficult for them to get a fresh start.

Fortunately, new legislation reached Governor Inslee’s desk this week that would allow victims of sex trafficking to have prostitution convictions cleared from their records.  Governor Inslee is expected to sign this measure into law.

Prostitution convictions frequently punish the victim.  As State Representative Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines, who championed the legislation, emphasized:

We’re really talking about people who’ve survived years of trauma and need help finding a normal, stable life again.

Many victims of sex trafficking suffered childhood abuse and neglect long before prostitution, which made them easily exploitable by pimps who promised them a better life.  The Seattle Police Department supported the legislation for this reason.

If you are a victim of sex-trafficking or know someone who is, you can get help by calling 1-888-373-7888 or by texting BeFree (233733).  You can also get help from YouthCare, a non-profit organization that helps homeless youth.