Las Vegas, Nev. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined local law enforcement professionals to discuss their work on child sex trafficking cases. She also discussed her new legislation, the Interdiction for the Protection of Child Victims of Exploitation and Human Trafficking Act, to help train federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement officers to recognize and rescue child trafficking victims and provide more support for child survivors.
“Since my time as Nevada Attorney General, I’ve stood up for survivors of child trafficking and worked to bring vital resources to survivors across Nevada to help them heal and rebuild their lives. I was proud to meet with law enforcement professionals today who are working tirelessly to bring justice to child victims and educate our community about the signs of human trafficking. Legislation I’ve introduced, the Interdiction for the Protection of Child Victims of Exploitation and Human Trafficking Act, would help support these efforts by providing our law enforcement with innovative training and educational resources to identify and prevent the exploitation of children. I look forward to working with law enforcement throughout Nevada, as well as with community support organizations to protect at-risk kids, support survivors and end the epidemic of child trafficking.”
BACKGROUND:
In 2008, the Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS) realized that their officers regularly identified fugitives, stolen automobiles and illicit drugs during traffic stops, yet had no protocol for identifying missing or at-risk children. In response, the TXDPS developed the Interdiction for the Protection of Children (IPC) training program to help train patrol officers to recognize suspicious behaviors in adults and children indicative of child trafficking and exploitation. The program also trains officers on protocols and procedures for interacting with potential child victims.
The Interdiction for the Protection of Child Victims of Exploitation and Human Trafficking Act would increase the availability of IPC training for law enforcement officers across the country by:
- Establishing a pilot program to train federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement officers to recognize and rescue at-risk and exploited children.
- Creating a grant program for agencies wishing to carry out IPC training.
Regularly reporting on the successes of the program.