The Domestic Minor Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2010
The Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2010 aims to authorize large block grants to create a comprehensive, victim-centered approach to addressing minor sex trafficking and provide funding to implement improvements to the National Crime Information Center system to track information about missing and exploited children. Congresswoman Maloney (D-NY) and Congressman Christopher Smith (R-NJ) introduced the bill on June 23, 2010. The bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee and Ways and Means Committee for review.
This bill was introduced to partner with Senate bill S.2925, introduced by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX). Click here for information on the Senate bill.
UPDATE: Linda Smith has been asked to testify at the Congressional Hearing on H.R. 5575 on September 15 in Rayburn 2141 at 1 p.m.
Linda Smith testified at a congressional briefing on July 19, where she emphasized the importance of combating demand through state and federal legislation. The House Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security has scheduled a hearing for this bill on September 15, 2010.
Details of Legislation
Sex Trafficking Block Grants
The bill authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs to award six one-year block grants, renewable up to three years, of $2,500,000 each to "eligible entities" in different regions of the United States to combat sex trafficking and provide shelter and services to child sex trafficking victims. Recipients must subgrant at least 50% of the grant funds to a qualified NGO to provide shelter and services to victims of child sex trafficking; the remainder of the grant funds can be used to improve investigations and prosecutions of sex trafficking crimes. Grant funds may be used for:
Victim Services
- Temporary or long-term shelter for minor victims of sex trafficking
- 24 hour emergency social services response to minor victims of sex trafficking
- Clothing and daily necessities for minor victims of sex trafficking
- Case management, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services for minor victims of sex trafficking
- Legal services for minor victims of sex trafficking
Law Enforcement
- Specialized training on sex trafficking
- Salaries for law enforcement officers (percentages of a salary paid for by grant funds shall be at least as high as the percentage of time dedicated to sex trafficking cases involving minors)
- Salaries for state and local prosecutors
- Investigation and trial expenses
Outreach and education programs
- Deterrence and prevention of sex trafficking of minors
- Treatment programs for those charged with solicitation of prostitution when treatment is an appropriate alternative to incarceration (which would not include those charged with solicitation of a minor).
Eligible Entity - An “eligible entity” to apply for the block grants is a state or local government unit that: (1) has significant criminal activity involving the sex trafficking of minors; (2) has demonstrated cooperation between state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and social service providers in addressing sex trafficking of minors; (3) provides that, under the multidisciplinary plan, a minor victim of sex trafficking will not be required to collaborate with law enforcement in order to receive the services funded by the grant; and (4) has developed a multi-disciplinary plan to combat the sex trafficking of minors that includes:
- a shelter for minor victims of sex trafficking;
- rehabilitative care to minor victims of sex trafficking;
- specialized training for law enforcement officers and social service providers;
- prevention, deterrence and prosecution of sex trafficking offenses;
- cooperation agreements with organizations serving runaway and homeless youth;
- law enforcement protocols to screen all individuals arrested for prostitution for victimization through sex trafficking
Enhancements to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) System
This non-enforceable section of the bill encourages Department of Justice to enhance the NCIC database system so that children under the age of 18 who are reported missing three times in one-year are designated as endangered juveniles within the database. The Department of Justice is encouraged to enhance the system to provide a visual cue to law enforcement to assist them is immediately recognizing as endangered child.
We can get these bills passed if we show your senators that this important issue deserves their time and support!
1. Reach out personally to your Congressman-- Click here to find your representative. Encourage them to become a co-sponsor of the bill or support this crucial piece of legislation.
2. Call your Congressman's office (you will likely talk to a staff member) and urge them to support this legislation. You can use this script or personalize your message:
"Hi, my name is [ ], and I am a constituent of [ ]. I am calling to urge [ ] to support anti-human trafficking legislation that has been introduced.
H.R. 5575 helps fight child sex trafficking by instituting comprehensive plans in 6 locations across the United States to better investigate, prosecute and treat the victims of child sex trafficking. Will the Congressman support this important legislation?”
If your Congressman's office would like more information, ask them to contact the sponsors of these bills (Congressman Smith or Congresswoman Maloney).
3. After you make your call, please follow up with a short email to thank them and restate your message.
4. Pass this information to your friends and neighbors and urge them to join the fight!
Human trafficking is happening in America –
you can help stop it!
Questions? Contact Amy English, Communications Coordinator at Amy@SharedHope.org or call us at (703)351-8062. |
