Tomorrow morning, Tuesday, April 25th the Public Safety committee of the California Assembly will hold a hearing on Assembly Bill 1402. You can listen to the hearing here live, beginning at 8:30 AM PT. California’s SB 1322 went into effect on January 1. This bill not only sparked a fiery discussion centered on one op-ed, […]
Why does it matter?
Wrestling with the intersectionality of language and response As lawyers and activists, Shared Hope’s Policy Team is frequently fielding the question, “Why does it matter?” “Why does it matter what language we use?” “Why does it matter who responds to the plight of a trafficked child?” “Why does this specific law matter?” These questions are […]
California Recognizes Kids are Victims, Not Criminals
New law in line with national movement to protect juvenile sex trafficking victims California’s SB 1322 went into effect on January 1. This bill not only sparked a fiery discussion centered on one op-ed, it also led Assemblyman Travis Allen to introduce AB 1402 for purposes of repealing SB 1322. Contrary to sensational statements that SB […]
Children: Victims Not Criminals
A bill sits on Governor Jerry Brown’s desk designed to address the sex trafficking of children in California. While many people have joined the cause to fight sex trafficking abroad, few realize that it occurs in their own neighborhoods. Who would think that California, the land of sunshine, natural beauty, and “good vibes,” hides a […]
Shifting towards Justice: Non-Criminalization of Child Sex Trafficking Victims
During the 2016 legislative sessions this year, at least 10 states have introduced legislation that would protect a child from being blamed for their own commercial sexual exploitation, meaning that prostitution offenses would not apply to minors. As of August 1, 2015, 14 states and DC had already enacted full non-criminalization provisions to prevent prosecution […]