Publication: CEASE Releases Policy Brief on Decriminalizing Victims of Child Sex Trafficking
CEASE recently released its policy brief, Child Sex Trafficking and Enhancing Georgia Responses, providing an overview of how common misunderstandings about the realities of child sex trafficking prevent the identification of victims, resulting in survivors being treated more like adult criminals than child victims. Despite Georgia’s commitment to the protection of survivors of child sex trafficking, victims continue to be arrested and prosecuted for acts committed while under the control of traffickers. Legislation proposed to increase penalties for violations of criminal gang activities and other offenses will inadvertently exacerbate the criminalization of victims, diverting them from protection, healing, and recovery.