Safe Harbor legislation currently pending in the Maryland General Assembly seeks to protect child victims of sex trafficking.
HB833/SB768 - Criminal Law - Victims of Child Sex Trafficking - Safe Harbor and Service Response seeks to provide a safe harbor for child victims of sex trafficking and prevent their further victimization by redirecting them out of the criminal justice system and connecting them to services. This bill would prevent prosecution for specified crimes committed as a result of trafficking, and is supported by a wide range of advocates, including survivors, survivor advocates, crime victim rights attorneys, prosecutors, and other law enforcement.
Sex traffickers who exploit children should be punished.
Their victims should not.
"Safe Harbor will ensure that these children will no longer be betrayed by the same systems that are supposed to protect them. It will allow children to disclose their victimization and to accept services without the threat of prosecution and punishment. This will, in turn, establish trust between children and law enforcement — leading to stronger cases against traffickers."
-Amanda Rodriguez, Executive Director of TurnAround
Please ask members of the Judicial Proceedings Committee to
vote favorably on HB833/SB768
to protect child victims of sex trafficking
MARYLAND SENATE JUDICIARY PROCEEDINGS COMMITTEE
Leadership:
William C. Smith Jr., Chair (District 20, Montgomery County)
Phone: (410) 841-3634 | (301) 858-3634
E-mail: [email protected]
Jeff Waldstreicher, Vice Chair (District 18, Montgomery County)
Phone: (410) 841-3137 | (301) 858-3137
E-mail: [email protected]
Members:
Jack Bailey (District 29, Calvert and St. Mary's Counties)
Phone: (410) 841-3673 | (301) 858-3673
E-mail: [email protected]
Jill P. Carter (District 41, Baltimore City)
Phone: (410) 841-3697 | (301) 858-3697
E-mail: [email protected]
Robert Cassilly (District 34, Harford County)
Phone: (410) 841-3158 | (301) 858-3158
E-mail: [email protected]
Shelly Hettleman (District 11, Baltimore County)
Phone: (410) 841-3131 | (301) 858-3131
E-mail: [email protected]
Michael J. Hough (District 4, Frederick and Carroll Counties)
Phone: (410) 841-3704 | (301) 858-3704
E-mail: [email protected]
Susan C. Lee (District 16, Montgomery County)
Phone: (410) 841-3124 | (301) 858-3124
E-mail: [email protected]
Charles E. Sydnor III (District 44. Baltimore City & Baltimore County)
Phone: (410) 841-3612 | (301) 858-3612
E-mail: [email protected]
Ron Watson (District 23, Prince George's County)
Phone: (410) 841-3631 | (301) 858-3631
E-mail: [email protected]
Chris West (District 42, Baltimore County)
Phone: (410) 841-3648 | (301) 858-3648
E-mail: [email protected]
