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Press Releases|November 6, 2014

Louisiana Named Top in Nation for Strong Child Sex Trafficking Laws in National Study

Written by: SHI Staff

Louisiana Overtakes Tennessee for Top Spot on Child Sex Trafficking Study 

WASHINGTON, D.C., Louisiana has been named the top state in the nation for its laws against child sex trafficking, according to a study released by anti-trafficking organization Shared Hope International. The 2014 Protected Innocence Challenge marks the fourth year Shared Hope has analyzed and graded every state on its laws that pertain to domestic minor sex trafficking. Louisiana joined Washington and Tennessee as the only three states in the nation to earn an “A” on the 2013 Protected Innocence Challenge.

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In 2011, the first year Report Cards were released, Louisiana was barely average, earning a mere 70 percent. After three years of substantial legislative advancements, Louisiana ranks first in the nation with a 96 per cent, earning a perfect score in five of six categories.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

  1. Louisiana improved 26 points from 70  points in 2011 to 96  points in 2014
  2. States were scored based on six categories of law. Scores by area of law:
  3. Section 1 (Criminalization of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking): LA- 10 (10 points possible)
  4. Section 2 (Criminal Provisions Addressing Demand: LA- 25 (25 points possible)
  5. Section 3 (Criminal Provisions for Traffickers): LA- 15 (15 points possible)
  6. Section 4 (Criminal Provisions for Facilitators: LA- 10 (10 points possible)
  7. Section 5 (Protected Provisions for Child Victims: LA- 21 (27.5 points possible)
  8. Section 6 (Criminal Justice Tools for Investigation and Prosecution): LA- 15 (15 points possible)