Senate Bill 8 and Senate Resolution 7 will be heard on the House Floor to vote tomorrow-Tuesday, March 31. This is the last chance before the Legislative session ends to pass important legislation protecting child sex trafficking victims.

 

NOW is the time to make an impact - you can help pass legislation to protect the victims of child sex trafficking in Georgia!

 

Here is what we need you to do:

1. We need you to contact your Representative and ask him or her to support Senate Bill 8 (Sen. Unterman, 45th) and Senate Resolution 7, "Safe Harbor/Rachel's Law," when it comes up for a vote in the House today or tomorrow morning.

2. Attend the advocacy session at the Capitol tomorrow showing support for Senate Bill 8 and Senate Reolution 7! Advocates are meeting on the third floor, north steps at 10:30 AM to prepare for the House Floor presntation and vote on legislation.

3. Forward this to your friends!

Contact your Representative:

 1. Look up your State Representative here

2. Find his or her contact information here

3. Make a phone call or send an email to Representatives!  

 Here is a sample email message:

Dear Representative ______________: 

 

I am a Georgia voter and your constituent, and I am extremely concerned about the issue of child sex trafficking in our state.

Please vote for SB 8 (Safe Harbor/Rachel's Law) and SR 7 in the House.

 

This legislation is critically important to protect and provide needed services to the hundreds of child victims of this heinous crime in Georgia.

 

Thank you for your leadership on this important legislation and for protecting Georgia's children! 

[YOUR NAME/ADDRESS] 

 

Spread the word - forward this alert to friends! All of our hard work as advocates is paying off, but we are not there yet!

Senate Bill 8 update:

 

Senate Bill 8 (Sen. Unterman, 45th) and Senate Resolution 7, "Safe Harbor/Rachel's Law," passed out of the House Juvenile Justice Committee this week. After many hours of thoughtful deliberations, the committee chair and members strengthened the legislation and provided a 'do pass' recommendation to the House.

 

The legislation protects child victims of sex trafficking by:

• diverting them into rehabilitative services, like the victims of other crimes against children, instead of treating the children themselves as the criminals
• establishing a dedicated fund to support needed treatment and services, through sources that are linked to the high rates of child sex trafficking in our state
• requiring the development of a state plan for the coordinated delivery of these services.

Take a moment to thank the committee chair and members for their excellent work! 

We believe that DMST can be eradicated in our lifetime. If you agree, click here to donate to support victims of child sexual exploitation in Georgia.