Advocating for Trafficking Survivors In The Criminal Justice System

Since our founding, ECPAT-USA has been at the forefront of the fight for legislation that will protect children who are commercially sexually exploited. With a new administration sworn in and a new session of Congress starting in Washington, D.C., we are also excited to welcome our new Director of Public Policy, Nina DeJonghe. Nina will be helping shape our advocacy efforts this year, including our work on sex trafficking and the criminal justice system.

Cases involving child sex trafficking are complex and require a multijurisdictional approach. It is imperative that victims receive sufficient protection from law enforcement and that the judicial system upholds the law by prosecuting sexual predators whose sole purpose is to victimize children by subjecting them to a harmful life for monetary gain.

We must also acknowledge the level of irreversible trauma placed on children subjected to this lifestyle, which sometimes leaves them unable to navigate their lives after being victimized. To achieve this, it is crucial that trauma-informed practices and measures are in place to support victims.

Trafficking in the News

Exploitation affects communities in every state in the U.S. Below, you can learn more about cases related to sex trafficking across the country that made headlines this month. 

Get the latest on the issue and our work to protect children across the country from exploitation by signing up for our newsletter here.

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Warning - The Playbook on Sex Trafficking and The Super Bowl

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5 Questions for Nina DeJonghe, Director of Public Policy