ECPAT-USA Applauds D.C. Council Decision To Protect Children From Traffickers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – ECPAT-USA, the nation’s leader in protecting children from exploitation and trafficking, applauds the D.C. Council on their decision not to advance a proposed bill that would have decriminalized all aspects of the commercial sex industry, including pimping, patronizing and brothel keeping.

“We are grateful that the District Council listened to trafficking survivors, whose voices are too often overlooked in the legislative process,” said Lori L. Cohen, Executive Director of ECPAT-USA. “During a day of heartbreaking testimony, these brave individuals confirmed that the best way to stop trafficking is to shut down the demand, not to give a free pass to exploiters. Going forward, I strongly encourage all legislators and leaders to meet with survivors and groups like ECPAT-USA so that they can more fully understand the harmful and longterm consequences experienced by children who are exploited in the sex trade.”

As a children’s rights organization, ECPAT-USA will continue to oppose legislation that does not provide safeguards for children. ECPAT-USA instead advocates for laws that aim to create a safety net for our most vulnerable and youngest populations and seek to protect every child’s right to grow up free from sexual exploitation.