Malloy Signs New Law to Combat Minor Sex Trafficking

Governor Dannel P. Malloy signed into law a bill that gives law enforcement an additional tool to investigate domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST), according to a news release.

The new law also expands access to services to victims of child exploitation. The Governor announced Wednesday that a new law enforcement education initiative has been launched in order to enhance the effectiveness of investigations and prosecutions of sex trafficking crimes.

“That there have been 300 child victims of human trafficking have been reported in Connecticut since 2008 is stunning – and people want action,” Governor Malloy said. “As we work towards smart policing and a more effective criminal justice system, ending the trafficking of children has to be a central component. It’s, simply, a moral issue. If law enforcement, social workers, and other professionals have access to the tools they need, we can help the victims and more effectively prevent this type of horrible crime. That’s why these steps are so important.”

The new law allows authorities to use wiretaps to investigate DMST and broadens the definition of the crime for minor victims. Minor victims will now be able to seek compensation from the Office of Victim Services for up to two years after the crime.

DCF Commissioner Joette Katz said the agency has worked hard to create awareness among law enforcement and other professionals as well the general public that human trafficking is not just an international and national problem, but that it afflicts Connecticut as well.

“Tireless efforts have been made to educate Connecticut about this awful victimization of innocent children here in our home state with training, a well-attended statewide conference last year, and focused interest from the media,” Commissioner Katz said. “That education process was needed before we could enact legislation and put into place the training and resources to respond both with the services to help the child victims and the effective investigation and prosecution of the exploiters whom we must aggressively pursue.”

The bill signed into law by the Governor includes the following measures:

• Increases access to counseling, support and health care services for victims;
• Expands conditions under which a court must order erasure of any criminal record of a victim resulting from human trafficking or related federal crimes;
• Expands the tools available to law enforcement when investigating DMST by including it on the list of crimes for which wiretapping may be authorized;
• Expands the crime of human trafficking by broadening the conditions under which the crime is committed when the victim is a minor; and
• Allows the Office of Victim Services to waive the two-year limitation on compensation applications for minors who are victims of human trafficking.