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Safe Harbor for Children: Protect and Serve Victims of Child Sex Trafficking and Exploitation!
  1. Signatures
    373 out of 1,000
    Petitioning
    1. State Rep. DebraLee Hovey (+ 8 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • State Rep. DebraLee Hovey (CT-112)
      • State Rep. Diana Urban (CT-043)
      • State Rep. John Thompson (CT-013)
      • State Rep. Gail Hamm (CT-034)
      • State Rep. Mike Alberts (CT-050)
      • State Rep. Mary Mushinsky (CT-085)
      • State Rep. Joe Mioli (CT-136)
      • State Sen. Anthony Musto (CT-022)
      • State Rep. David Baram (CT-015)
  2. Created By
    Love146
About this Petition Petition Letter
Why This Is Important


Did you know that under the prostitution statutes, child victims can be arrested in Connecticut?  This re-traumatizes the child who really requires urgent care.  Wouldn't it be better for children to have a "safe harbor" in CT, where they would be properly identified and treated as victims?

CT State Senator Rob Kane (R-32) has proposed a bill which would presume that any minor child who is arrested and charged with prostitution is a victim of trafficking in persons. The proposed bill would also provide these children desperately needed social services guiding them to restoration and a life free from abuse.
 
So, what can YOU do to help?

The way law-making works in CT is that a state senator or state representative must propose the bill--Sen. Kane has done that by urging the Connecticut Assembly’s Select Committee on Children to raise a "safe harbor" bill for children. We must now urge the Select Committee on Children to have a vote to raise the bill.

The committee must have the vote be February 18th in order for the bill to be considered.  With a strong show of support from our community, the committee will vote to take up the issue.  Then, the bill can be drafted and hearings can take place.
 
ACTION STEPS:

 Send your email to the members as soon as possible.  They must vote by Thursday, February 18th.  Therefore, we ask that you email them this week to give them time to vote.
 
Thank you for taking the time to voice your support for the most vulnerable in our community.  Child victims of commercial sexual exploitation deserve to be given a chance for a better life free from abuse.
 
Sincerely,
 
Kathy Maskell

Love146 U.S. Advocacy Director

Recent Signatures

Please raise a Safe Harbor Bill that will protect and serve victims of child sex trafficking and exp

Dear honorable members of the Select Committee on Children,

I strongly urge the Select Committee on Children to raise a bill to create a “safe harbor” program in Connecticut. This program would create a presumption that any minor child who is arrested and charged with prostitution is a victim of trafficking in persons, and not subject to criminal penalties. This is important considering that the average age of entry into prostitution is ages 11-14 in the U.S., according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Furthermore, the bill would provide much needed social services to such a child, including but not limited to the following: safe and secure housing, crisis intervention and other community-based programs as needed. Last session, Senator Kane submitted SB 76 to which you can refer to aid your deliberation.

This bill should not be confused with Public Act 06-43, An Act Concerning Trafficking In Persons. This act alone cannot protect children from being arrested and re-traumatized by law enforcement intervention. The "safe harbor" act would create a presumption that all children in prostitution are victims that require intensive social services.

Child victims of commercial sexual exploitation desperately need our support. The trauma and brutality they endure on the streets and in the hands of traffickers cannot be overcome with prosecution and jail time. Prosecution only further humiliates the child, giving her or him a criminal record.

Recovery requires a safe and secure environment with counselors who understand their needs. It is not prosecution but this caring environment that will restore their dignity and sense of strength. I strongly urge your committee to address this matter and extend to Connecticut’s exploited children the helping hand they need.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

[Your name]