In addition to its exclusive editorial content, Editorials @ Human Events features syndicated commentary from distinguished conservative voices. Below, Ambassador Callista L. Gingrich argues that “America must hold child sex trafficking offenders accountable and provide the needed support for victims.”
For more commentary by Ambassador Gingrich, visit Gingrich 360.
“AMERICA’S FAILURE TO FIGHT CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING”
By Ambassador Callista L. Gingrich
On November 29th, the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell began. The British socialite and close companion of the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is facing six charges related to her involvement in the grooming, sexual abuse, and sex trafficking of young girls.
According to the New York Times, Maxwell is charged with one count of enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in illegal sex acts, one count of sex trafficking of a minor, and three counts of conspiracy.
In the first week of the trial, survivors of Epstein and Maxwell’s abuse finally had the opportunity to share their heartbreaking stories in hopes of justice being served. “Jane,” who met Epstein and Maxwell at a talent camp when she was 14-years-old and endured years of abuse, testified that she took the stand “to hopefully finally find some sort of closure to all of this.” She said she wants “to hopefully find some peace and healing someday.”
The testimonies from the first week of the Maxwell trial vividly reveal the lasting trauma and hardship experienced by young survivors of sexual exploitation. These horrific truths emphasize the importance and urgency of instituting necessary reforms to protect future victims.
Ten years ago, many states in the U.S. did not have fundamental statutes criminalizing child sex trafficking. Today, all 50 states have child sex trafficking laws in place, and most states have at least one statute criminalizing the commercial sexual exploitation of children.
But this is the bare minimum.
A 2021 report by the nonprofit Shared Hope International released a report card grading all 50 states plus Washington D.C. on their responses to child and youth sex trafficking. States were graded on six issue areas, including criminal provisions, identification of and response to victims, continuum of care, access to justice for trafficking survivors, tools for a victim-centered criminal justice response, and prevention and training.
Using a point system, the report gave 40 states failing grades, 10 states “Ds,” and one “C”—to Florida.
Shared Hope International put forth 40 policy goals specifying actions that should be taken to protect and provide resources for victims while holding offenders accountable. Critically, the report identified that America is lacking in providing adequate protection for victims as part of our response to the scourge of child sex trafficking.
According to the report, “Comprehensive and accessible victim protections are, undoubtedly, the most crucial components of a strong response to child sex trafficking and, yet, as a nation, we continue to fall behind.”
A victim-centered approach is one that is championed by law enforcement officials, as well as both the Trump and Biden administrations. When I served as U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, our embassy worked closely with Church-affiliated organizations and the diplomatic community to promote this approach. Prioritizing the safety and support of the victim is known to make a significant impact on criminal prosecution and survivor recovery.
Despite this widely accepted approach, Shared Hope International’s report reveals that much more needs to be done if we are to successfully place the brave survivors of child and youth trafficking at the core of our nation’s response to this horrific evil.
The courageous survivors involved in the Maxwell trial have waited more than 15 years for healing and closure from the suffering they endured as minors. America must hold child sex trafficking offenders accountable and provide the needed support for victims to leave their past behind and move forward with their lives.
