On June 11, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing, “Sex Trafficking and Exploitation in America: Child Welfare’s Role in Prevention and Intervention.” Chair Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-UT) heard testimony regarding the issue of domestic minor sex trafficking and suggestions as to how the child welfare system can help.
Michelle Guymon, probation director at the Los Angeles Probation Department: Innocence Lost Task Force, said, “Studies show that virtually all exploited children have suffered extensive sexual, physical, or emotional abuse and that the majority have had involvement with the child welfare system…Right now we are faced with a major challenge: How do we identify, develop, and implement a collaborative response to this growing problem – including clarifying jurisdictional issues; developing appropriate placements; training caregivers, social workers, and judicial officers; developing intervention services and after-care; and employing a data collection mechanism, just to name a few. It starts with a paradigm shift in how we see these girls. Your hearing today is evidence of this change happening.”
The following witnesses also testified:
