All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission of Shared Hope International, except in the case of brief quotations used in connection with articles and reviews. © 2011 Shared Hope International Printed in the United States of America. Shared Hope International P.O. Box 65337 Vancouver, WA 98665 Shared Hope International 1501 Lee Highway, Suite 101 Arlington, VA 22209 Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: Child Sex Slavery in Washington iii Acknowledgements The victimization of children through domestic minor sex trafficking is among the most violent and horrific crimes against children. The children whose lives are destroyed are often times further stigmatized with the label of offender as they are arrested for the crimes committed against them. As revealed by this report, there are no communities immune to this crime. While this report is specifically designed to expose the scope of domestic minor sex trafficking and identify the gaps and challenges in identification and response, it is important to note that significant progress has been made by individuals and organizations that are working together in unprecedented ways to tackle this injustice. Since 1993, with the formation of the Becca Bill, key activists have championed the fight to identify and protect youth from predators such as traffickers and buyers. This ongoing fight reached a new level in 2010 with the passage of SB 6476, which increased penalties for traffickers and began to map out a victim-centered process for youth exploited through commercial sex. During the nearly twenty years in between, leaders within Washington state have tuned into the voices of survivors to develop procedures, protocols, outreach, training, services, and shelters in an effort to combat this crime. Special appreciation is extended to Senator Val Stevens and Representative Mary Lou Dickerson for their leadership in advancing the legislative tools for law enforcement and prosecutors to bring justice on behalf of victims. The same gratitude is extended to the first responders working on the front lines who are using these new laws and their own innovations and tenacity to aggressively bring justice to the children victimized by child sex trafficking. We commend the tireless work done by victim advocates and service providers who give their energy and efforts into providing a road to healing for the survivors. We thank every individual, organization, and agency that participated in this research. Without their energy, dedication, and honesty this report would not have been possible. It is our hope that those who read this report will find it to be a springboard to future action in advancing the fight to end domestic minor sex trafficking in Washington. Sincerely, Linda Smith President and Founder Shared Hope International Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: Child Sex Slavery in Washington v Table of Contents Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................................................................iii Executive Summary .............................................................................................................................................................................1 Methodology ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Glossary ..............................................................................................................................................................................................9 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................................................11 Task Forces .............................................................................................................................................................................12 Law Review ............................................................................................................................................................................13 Media Review .........................................................................................................................................................................17 Law Enforcement Jurisdiction .............................................................................................................................................22 Traffickers .........................................................................................................................................................................................23 Identification .........................................................................................................................................................................23 Prosecution ............................................................................................................................................................................26 Victim Role in Trafficker Prosecution ..................................................................................................................................28 Resources ...............................................................................................................................................................................28 Demand ............................................................................................................................................................................................29 Demand Prosecution .............................................................................................................................................................29 Demand Legislation ..............................................................................................................................................................29 Demand Reduction Efforts ....................................................................................................................................................31 Prostitution Solicitation Diversion .......................................................................................................................................31 Demand Awareness ...............................................................................................................................................................31 Victims ..............................................................................................................................................................................................33 Who are the Victims? ............................................................................................................................................................33 Hidden Population or Misidentified? ...................................................................................................................................35 Criminal Justice Response ............................................................................................................................................................... 37 Identification and Arrest - Law Enforcement ..................................................................................................................... 37 Training .....................................................................................................................................................................37 Identification ..............................................................................................................................................................38 Response .....................................................................................................................................................................39 Collaboration .............................................................................................................................................................39 Prosecution ............................................................................................................................................................................40 Training .....................................................................................................................................................................40 Prosecution of DMST .................................................................................................................................................40 Legal Discrepancies ...................................................................................................................................................40 Collaboration ..............................................................................................................................................................41 Adjudication and Detention ...................................................................................................................................................41 Training .................................................................................................................................................................................43 Identification .........................................................................................................................................................................43