November 1, 2022 – Shared Hope released their annual report cards to update anti-trafficking stakeholders, state legislators, and activists on each state’s status related to legislative efforts addressing child and youth sex trafficking.

Many states have made tremendous strides to comprehensively respond to and prevent the exploitation of children and youth through legislation that funds services, protects child survivors from unjust criminalization and prioritizes victim-centered responses to impacted young people. However, we know future growth is critical to protecting all children and youth. We continue to notice challenges across the nation that are leaving children susceptible to trafficking or further harming child sex trafficking victims. Until we prioritize investing in communities, including community-based services, and reject punitive responses to victims, children will fall through the cracks and continue to experience harm.

Through the Report Cards, we are pushing states to ensure all children have access to protection and care, stakeholders are empowered to respond, and our communities are equipped to prevent trafficking among children and youth.

Now that your state’s grade has been released, it is vital the Report Cards reach the hands of state lawmakers across the nation and spur survivor-centered legislative reforms.

See how your state is doing here.