[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 23, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF THE DOMESTIC MINOR SEX TRAFFICKING DETERRENCE AND 
                       VICTIM SUPPORT ACT OF 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2010

  Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, today I am pleased to introduce the 
Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victim Support Act of 
2010, bipartisan legislation that would take a multi-disciplinary, 
cooperative approach to shutting down human sex trafficking of children 
in the United States. I am pleased to be joined by original cosponsor 
Mr. Chris Smith, who along with me co-chairs the Human Trafficking 
Caucus. Representatives Blumenauer, Steven Cohen, Ted Poe, Laura 
Richardson, and David Wu also join me as original cosponsors. The 
legislation is the House companion to S. 2925, introduced by Senators 
Ron Wyden and John Cornyn in the Senate.
  While many think that child sex trafficking is a problem only in 
foreign countries, experts estimate that over 100,000 children in the 
United States are currently exploited through commercial sex. Although 
it is hard to believe, the average age of first exploitation is 12-13. 
We can no longer ignore that children in our country are being so 
horrifically exploited for economic gain.
  The legislation takes a comprehensive approach to reducing 
trafficking of minors. It would create block grants to provide shelter 
and care for the victims, ensure adequate resources for law enforcement 
and prosecutors to rescue victims and put pimps behind bars, strengthen 
deterrence and prevention programs aimed at buyers, and require timely 
and accurate reporting of missing children.
  We have a moral obligation to help the neglected victims of sex 
trafficking and to crack down on their abusers.

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