Earlier this year, we were honored to help advocate for a bill in California that will protect children from sex trafficking.
The bill, AB 379—authored by Assemblymember Maggy Krell—was designed to make it a felony to pay for “sex” with a 16- or 17-year-old.
For two years, we helped to amplify the voices of survivors, attended hearings, and created videos for lawmakers, all to help them see how important it is to protect minors from sex buyers.
Although there was strong pushback at first, lawmakers finally listened to the chorus of advocates and allies. The bill was passed into law on July 30, World Day Against Trafficking in Persons!
Now, it’s a felony to solicit sex with a minor, it’s a $1000 fine to loiter with intent to purchase, and a new Survivor Support Fund provides essential services to victims.
That means less buyers will be looking for kids to exploit. That means less kids will be abused.
The story I can’t tell you is the story of all those minors and children who, as a result of this bill, won’t have to endure a life of trafficking.
We won’t know their stories, because, for many, their exploitation will never happen. Their life will take a different path.
