Sen. Klobuchar in Duluth to Discuss New Sex Trafficking Legislation

DULUTH - January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar was in Duluth Saturday to discuss the rising issue.

She introduced new, bi-partisan legislation that would try to tackle the issue. 

Politicians, law enforcement, faith communities, youth advocates and more are joining forces to tackle sex trafficking of minors in Duluth.

"In many ways Duluth is on the front lines of the human trafficking problem in our country, as an international port I think we're all aware of some of the problems and challenges that come with it," said Duluth Mayor Don Ness.

"This is not just some metro area issue, it's not just a New York City issue, it's going on not just in the Twin Cities, but also in places like Duluth," said Senator Klobuchar.

More than 27 million people around the world are victims of sex trafficking each year.

The average age of victims is 13-years-old.

The new legislation called The Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act will help prosecutors in trafficking cases and ensure victims get the support they need.

"It does all kinds of things with making it easier for victims to sue the people that are perpetrating these crimes, and also makes it easier for victims to be eligible for some of the work core programs," said Klobuchar.

The bill requires states to enact legislation similar to Minnesota's Safe Harbor Laws within three years.

If they don't, they will lose law enforcement money.

Duluth Officers have been behind the Safe Harbor Laws from the beginning.

"We now know today that about 65% of all runaways are trafficked sexually somehow and we have obviously had to change how we respond to that," said Duluth Police Chief Gordon Ramsay.

The St. Louis County Attorney's Office is also in support of this bill because it will ensure minors who are sold for sex aren't prosecuted as defendants, but as victims.

"We want that victim to know that there is community support and that we're gonna do the best job possible is he or she is willing to step forward,tell what had happened, not just to an advocate, or a friend, but tell law enforcement. Then, our job is to keep them on board and give them the community support that they deserve," said St. Louis County Attorney Mark Rubin.

The main point of the bill is to make sure victims get the help they need and support from all different organizations in the community.

"These are children in need of protection, not juvenile delinquents," said Rubin.

Senator Klobuchar spoke about the bill at Life House.

The organization recently received a $200,000 Safe Harbor Grant.

The grant will help Life House provide shelter and victim centered services for trafficked youth.