(KIWA Staff Photo)
Statewide Iowa (RI) — A new state law going into effect Wednesday provides additional protections for victims of human trafficking.
It also gives prosecutors an expanded definition of human trafficking that includes patronizing and soliciting victims, and requires that any minor involved in a child-abuse investigation be screened for signs that they may be a victim of human trafficking.
Representative Brian Lohse of Bondurant helped craft the law. He says minors who are victimized by traffickers can no longer be charged with prostitution and will instead be immediately referred to state Protective Services.
Lohse and other legislators who worked on the bill say it ensures trafficked children are no longer treated as offenders, but cared for as victims of the adults who exploited them.
