[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 13080]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       COMBATING SEX TRAFFICKING

  (Mr. PAULSEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the sad 
truth about sex trafficking in the United States. The Department of 
Justice reports that between 2008 and 2010, 83 percent of sex 
trafficking victims found in this country were U.S. citizens and 40 
percent of cases involved the sexual exploitation of children. Just 
this week, the FBI rescued 105 children from exploitation in 76 U.S. 
cities, including one from my home State in Minnesota.
  Sadly, this is an all-too-common occurrence. The FBI has identified 
the Twin Cities as one of the Nation's 13 largest centers for child 
prostitution.
  That is why I've introduced the Child Sex Trafficking Data and 
Response Act with Congresswoman Slaughter, my colleague. We need to 
improve data systems that track missing children, as well as provide 
proper designation to ensure that the victims receive the care and help 
they need.
  Through increased awareness and a better understanding of this issue, 
as well as compassion for the victims of sex trafficking, we can take 
real steps to make sure we stop the abuse of our most vulnerable.

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