Protecting Children from Trafficking and Sex Crimes
The recent scandal involving former State Senator Justin Eichorn has revealed a truth that cannot be ignored: child sex trafficking and exploitation is happening in Minnesota, and rural Minnesota is no exception. As your Senator, I am committed to taking urgent action to prevent trafficking and exploitation in Minnesota Senate District 6.
"Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future." - President John F. Kennedy.
Expand Funding to Police Departments: In the fight against child sex trafficking, police officers are among our greatest heroes. I support providing resources to equip precincts with advanced technology to monitor online activity and track traffickers. I also support initiatives to include social workers in police departments to offer comprehensive victim support and counseling.
Prevention Starts with Education: The Shared Hope International Report Card, which gives a grade for child and youth sex trafficking, highlights a serious deficit: prevention and training. I will advocate for increase funding for schools to incorporate age-appropriate curricula that teach students to recognize exploitation, navigate online spaces safely, and seek help. I support the train teachers to identify and respond to signs of trafficking effectively.
Strengthening Community Awareness: I support expanding funding for local shelters like Saving Grace, Freedom Ranch, Relationship Safety Alliance, and Bridges of Hope in Brainerd and the Grace House of Itasca County in Grand Rapids to provide safe spaces, counseling, and recovery resources for survivors and those at risk of being victims. Likewise, I support community initiatives that educate neighbors about risks and prevention strategies.
Online Accountability: Tennessee has championed the cause for prevention of child exploitation with the passage of the Revising Existing Procedures on Reporting via Technology Act (REPORT Act). This act mandates stricter reporting requirements for online platforms regarding child exploitation and requires them to report cases to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and keep related data for up to a year.
I will advocate for legislation similar to the REPORT Act and I will seek out ways to enhance cooperation between tech companies and law enforcement to investigate trafficking cases.
Improving Victim Protections: I will pursue strengthening and expanding the Safe Harbor Law to focus on preventing trafficking activities while continuing to safeguard and support survivors.