Portman plan would aid sex traffic victims

2/8/2013

Child victims of sex trafficking would be eligible for grants for counseling, advocacy, legal, medical, and other services under an amendment proposed Thursday by U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio) to the Violence Against Women reauthorization act.

It now affords services to child victims of “domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.” The amendment would add victims of child sex trafficking to that list. Senator Portman and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.) introduced the measure.

Mr. Portman said the need for the amendment was brought to his attention by people in northwest Ohio, including Celia Williamson, a University of Toledo social worker.