In December 2011, Shared Hope International released a Protected Innocence Challenge Report Card for every state grading the framework of laws addressing the crime of domestic minor sex trafficking and the protections afforded to its victims. Not a single state earned an A. In fact, over half received failing grades. The question was posed: since not one state received an A, why don’t you grade on a curve system? Read on to learn about our zero tolerance policy standards for domestic minor sex trafficking, policy developments since the PII release, and why Shared Hope does not grade on a curve.

Children exploited in the commercial sex industry may be misidentified and arrested and prosecuted as criminals for crimes to which they cannot legally consent. Read on to learn how Shared Hope International’s Protected Innocence Initiative will work to address protective provisions for child victims.