Nonprofit’s annual evaluation of all 50 states and Washington, D.C., shows progress in certain states’ legal protections and supports for victims, gives 32 states failing grades for laws addressing child and youth sex trafficking WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 15, 2023—Tennessee is the highest-performing state for laws to protect children and youth from sex trafficking and the first […]
Unjust Criminalization: Zephi Trevino’s Story
Zephaniah “Zephi” Trevino has pleaded guilty and has been sentenced to 12 years for murder and five years for aggravated robbery. The Dallas County District Attorney alleged Zephi —along with two men— had taken part in a robbery that left one man dead from a gunshot wound and another injured. Although Zephi was not responsible […]
Shared Hope’s 2022 Report Cards Release: Kids Can Still be Charged with Prostitution in Almost Half the Country, Highlighting Need for Steady Legislative Improvements
Shared Hope International’s newly released Report Cards on Child & Youth Sex Trafficking reveals 37 states received failing grades for laws addressing child and youth sex trafficking, showing the nation’s continued challenge to provide comprehensive and accessible victim protections. Watch the 2022 Report Cards on Child & Youth Sex Trafficking release video! Shared Hope International’s […]
Safe Harbor – What’s in a Name?
Lack of Consistency in Child Sex Trafficking Laws May Hurt Our Children By Christine Raino and Eliza Reock What’s in a name? A lot, actually. In the area of anti-sex trafficking law and policy, words and definitions matter. They have the ability to affect thousands of lives of individuals who have survived sex trafficking. In [...]
“My story can change things.” – Pieper Lewis, September 13, 2022
In sentencing child sex trafficking survivor, Pieper Lewis, on September 13, 2022, Judge David Porter stated, “Ms. Lewis, this is the second chance you asked for. You don’t get a third. Do you understand?” The judge was alluding to his sentencing order that imposed a term of probation in lieu of immediate imprisonment, however the “second chance” […]
