Arizona has taken steps to address child sex trafficking within the state through consistent legislative action and as a result has earned a “B” grade for the laws the state passed to combat domestic minor sex trafficking. According to an annual State Report Card released by Shared Hope International, Arizona’s law still allows child victims of sex trafficking to be charged and prosecuted for prostitution offenses.
“Kids can still be charged and prosecuted as criminals in 31 states because law has not kept up with reality – the reality that these children are victims of sex trafficking and cannot be criminals at the same time for the same thing,” said SHI founder Linda Smith, stated at a press conference.
“We must stop criminalizing kids for crimes committed against them,” concluded Smith.
“Currently, the only avenue Arizona has to protect children, after they are discovered in the act of sex trafficking, is to arrest them. We all agree it is not ideal and the laws need to reflect the shift in our philosophy. We now see these children for what they are; victims. We have many vulnerable children in Arizona and we must end the practice of arresting them in order to protect them. We are re-victimizing our kids. The population of sexually exploited youth continues to grow, so time is of the essence for our efforts to protect our kids,” stated Kathleen Winn, Executive Director of AZMEN, and advisory board member to Shared Hope International.
SHI started the annual report card—known as the Protected Innocence Challenge—six years ago, in 2011. That year, 26 states got Fs and 15 had Ds. Over the last six years, Arizona, along with states across the nation, enacted essential laws.
From 2011 to 2016 Arizona’s Protected Innocence Challenge grade has gone up from a C to a B.
Arizona law provides substantial penalties for sex trafficking and gives law enforcement critical investigative tools to pursue demand. Despite progress, SHI research found critical gaps in these areas in the laws of Arizona, according to the organization.
The organization notes that Arizona is one of 31 states were children still can be charged and prosecuted for prostitution, in conflict with their status as victims of sex trafficking. Also Arizona law does not create avenues to specialized services for child victims of sex trafficking.
Shared Hope International is an anti-trafficking organization focusing on prevention, restoration and justice for victims of sex trafficking. Founded in 1998 by Congresswoman Linda Smith, Shared Hope is a trusted leader for training, research, restorative development, and legislative development.