Petition State Law Makers

NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING MONTH:  January 11, 2013 (National Human Trafficking Day) - February 12, 2013 (Lincoln's Birthday)    

This month, our Benedictine Cor Defenders will be working hard to raise awareness to protect our children and young people against the dangers of human trafficking.  It is an evil that knows no color, race, country, or state. 

Carolina De Los Rios, Polaris project has proposed the following petition to State Lawmakers to Pass Safe Harbor Laws that treat child survivors of human trafficking as kids/victims, not criminals.  Please help us protect our children. Be a Hero for Justice and sign the petition today. ttp://www.change.org/petitions/state-lawmakers-kids-not-criminals-pass-safe-harbor-laws?utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=url_share&utm_campaign=url_share_before_sign

State Lawmakers 

Dear State Legislator, 

According to national estimates, there are 100,000 children in the commercial sex trade in the United States. All too often, these children are arrested and prosecuted for prostitution. However, they are kids, not criminals. 

There are better policy approaches and better options, ones that literally save the lives of children and teens. Safe Harbor laws are that better option. These laws define these sexually exploited children as victims of abuse, help them find protection and support, and grant them immunity from prosecution for prostitution while they are under 18 years of age.

Safe Harbor laws should also increase funding for specialized services like long-term housing, mental health care, educational support, and job training to help these children recover. Thirty-nine states lack these basic Safe Harbor protections – including Texas, Michigan, Georgia, Nebraska, and Louisiana. And every state can do more to increase services for child victims of sex trafficking.

Safe Harbor laws help all of these children get the care they so desperately need.

I cannot believe any lawmaker—any person—would look at an abused 15-year-old and think: jail. We must do better. I am signing this petition to urge you to support these kids and support Safe Harbor laws to protect them. Thank you.Sincerely, 

[Your name]