The legislation will have a significant impact on child trafficking survivors.


** We Need To Pass Sara's Law
------------------------------------------------------------

Nina DeJonghe, ECPAT-USA’s Director of Public Policy, recently testified before the Maryland House of Delegates Judiciary Committee in support of House Bill 754 ([link removed]) , legislation that would reform juvenile sentencing. This bill is similar to legislation U.S. Representatives Bruce Westerman, Karen Bass, David Trone and Tony Cardenas recently introduced: the Sara’s Law and the Preventing Unfair Sentencing Act ([link removed]) .

Trafficking survivor Sara Kruzan ([link removed]) inspired both pieces of legislation. Sara was 11 when she was first exploited and subjected to years of endless sexual abuse and violence. Although she was only 16 at the time, she was tried as an adult and convicted to life in prison for killing her trafficker and served 20 years until the state commuted her sentence in 2013.

The judicial system currently penalizes minors who have been exploited and trafficked, convicting them without considering the horrific circumstances they endured.

There are two core components of HB 754 that will significantly impact outcomes for children in the criminal justice system. ​First, this bill would require judges to consider adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), trauma, and other mitigating factors when sentencing youth convicted in adult court. This provision is critical - the majority of children in the justice system ([link removed]) have experienced trauma, including physical, emotional and sexual abuse, neglect, or living with a family member who suffers from substance abuse or mental health issues.

Second, the bill allows judges to send cases involving child sex trafficking victims being tried as adults back to juvenile court.

Our legal system’s inabilit ([link removed]) y ([link removed]) to view these children as victims prevents it from being able to adequately serve them, signaling vulnerable youth aren’t deserving of care, protection and more importantly, their rights. Treating children in a trauma-informed and age-appropriate manner is critical to their psychological and physiological well-being. It is incumbent upon advocates to ensure children have access to necessary resources.

HB 754, and companion SB 769, is at risk of stalling in the Maryland State House. Please help us protect child trafficking victims by contacting Chairman Clippinger ([link removed]) and Chairman Smith ([link removed]) and urging them to prioritize this legislation. Additionally, you can follow our partners at Human Rights for Kids ([link removed]) to learn more about how you can get directly involved.
[link removed]
Watch the full hearing on Maryland House Bill 754

Learn more about cases related to these issues across the country that recently made headlines:
* ‘I Had to Escape or I Would Die’: Sex-Trafficking Survivor on Facing Her Perpetrator in Court: Delia, an immigrant from Mexico, describes how she was forced into the sex trade — and how she got out ([link removed]) : At 25, "Delia," a member of ECPAT-USA's Survivors' Council, has been free from the sex trade for about eight years now. In an interview with Rolling Stone, she shared how she’s been building a life for herself since then.

* Survivor Says Hotels Play Huge Role in Sex Trafficking ([link removed]) : Savannah Parvu said she became a victim of human trafficking at the age of 11 and she spent years being trafficked by the man who dealt her mother drugs.

SUPPORT OUR PROGRAMS ([link removed])
[link removed]

ECPAT-USA is the leading policy organization in the United States seeking to end the commercial, sexual exploitation of children through awareness, advocacy, policy, and legislation. Join us ([link removed]) .

============================================================
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Link ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])
Copyright © 2022 ECPAT-USA, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website

Our mailing address is:
ECPAT-USA
86 Wyckoff Avenue #609
Brooklyn, New York 11237
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.