Slavery doesn’t just happen overseas. It’s taking place right here in the United States.  The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that at least 100,000 children are victims of sex trafficking and prostitution each year in the U.S.

Child trafficking is a federal crime, but many states, including California still do not adequately protect children who have been exploited.  In many cases, children who have been rescued from trafficking are treated as criminals.  Without state laws to support our strong federal laws, children will continue to fall through the cracks.

You can be part of the solution. We’re asking you to join us in asking California lawmakers to support “Safe Harbor” legislation, which recognizes trafficked children as victims of a crime and ensures children receive specialized services to protect them from further harm.

SB 738, Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC), will call for the creation of an interagency workgroup to develop a comprehensive state plan to serve and protect sexually exploited and trafficked minors in California. This bill clarifies that a child who is a victim of sexual exploitation and trafficking falls under a court’s dependency system.

Dear Legislator:

Modern-day slavery still exists at home and abroad.  SB-738, a bill written to protect sexually exploited and trafficked minors, passed through the Senate this year with a unanimous vote and moved onto the Assembly. 

I have just been informed that this bill has been placed on a two-year track and will be picked up in the Assembly next year.  I hope that I can count on your support as it is taken up.  Thank you for your leadership on this issue – it is crucial in this fight to combat human trafficking.

Victims of human trafficking face horrific abuse and a difficult road to recovery. They are threatened, beaten, raped, starved, locked up or psychologically manipulated—all for the financial profit of their abusers. I urge you as a leader in California to do all you can to combat human trafficking and modern-day slavery in our communities.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,