OLYMPIA — Child survivors of human trafficking and sexual abuse would receive greater support and care in Washington under legislation passed unanimously by the Senate today.
The Legislature has made significant progress in recent years to increase support for survivors. Nevertheless, Washington state received a C rating after Shared Hope International, the leading nonprofit working to eradicate sex trafficking, updated its grading criteria.
SB 6006 would implement Shared Hope’s recommendations to improve how the state identifies and responds to victims, provides them with continued care, and enables them to seek civil remedies for the wrongs done to them. It would also make Washington state law consistent with the federal Justice for Victims Trafficking Act so the state can continue to receive federal funding for anti-trafficking work.
“Currently, survivors of sex trafficking do not have the same rights and access to the services and support that survivors of childhood sexual assault do,” said Dhingra, chair of the Senate Law & Justice Committee. “These sexually exploited children are not criminals; they are victims. This bill continues to ensure we recognize that even though their abuse is paid for, they deserve the same access to services and support. That is justice.
“They have suffered more than enough trauma for a lifetime, and we must ensure they have access to the justice they deserve and the support they need to heal and to get their lives back on track.”
In 2020, the Legislature passed HB 1775 to provide “safe harbor” to survivors of child trafficking. That bill prohibits anyone under 18 from being charged with the crime of prostitution and creates a therapeutic pilot program where law enforcement can place sexually exploited youth to receive intensive wraparound services.
SB 6006 now moves to the House for consideration.
