State's Attorneys Offices join forces to combat child sex abuse and trafficking in Maryland

BALTIMORE -- State's Attorneys Offices in Maryland are announcing a collaborative effort to protect victims of child sex abuse and trafficking.

On Tuesday, State's Attorneys for Frederick, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's Counties are coming together to push for legislation that would better protect some of the most vulnerable victims in their communities.

Prosecutors are fighting to push for the passage of multiple bills currently before the Maryland General Assembly.

Those bills include: 

• House Bill 226/Senate Bill 21 would strengthen the prosecution of child sex abuse by expanding the definition of "Person in Position of Authority" to coaches, counselors, and teachers outside the school system that utilize their position to victimize children.
• House Bill 297/Senate Bill 292 ensures that child trafficking victims are not prosecuted for their own victimization and instead are referred to proper services through the Regional Navigator Program.

Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy said Senate Bill 21 closes a gap in the law when it comes to prosecuting child sex abuse, particularly when the victim is 16 or 17 years old, not a legal adult but above the age of consent. 

"The law proposed wants to expand the categories of individuals who lure 16 or 17 year-old individuals into sexual activities, exploiting a position of trust," McCarthy said.

In Maryland, it's a fourth-degree sexual offense for a person in a position of authority to have sexual contact with a minor who attends the school where the person is employed. 

SB 21 expands the definition of a person in position of authority to include adults outside the school system, which includes coaches, tutors, music teachers or religious leaders. 

"In all different contexts, these things are frustrating because we cannot protect these children and they're pretty vulnerable," McCarthy said.

Senate Bill 292, or the "Safe Harbor Bill" would ensure victims of child trafficking are not prosecuted for crimes where they were forced or coerced into committing as a result of being trafficked. Instead, these victims would be referred to proper services. 

"We should not be seeking to prosecute children that have been abused but rather to assist them in living full and complete lives," Prince George's County State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy said.

Advocates for the bill say it's common sense but there's growing concern the bill will slip through the cracks. 

"The people of Maryland have spoken," said Rev. Leslie Dwight, from Maryland Safe Harbor Coalition. "Over 5,000 letters have been sent to Maryland legislators since February 1, demanding that our legislators pass this bill. You heard it passed unanimously in the House and we are calling for unanimous passing in the Senate."

The Safe Harbor Bill passed through the House of Delegates, however, it has been stuck in Senate judicial proceedings for nearly a month 

SB 21 passed in the House of Delegates last week. A hearing has yet to be scheduled by judicial proceedings.