In Our View: Smith Marches On

Five words on T-shirts — “Kids are not for sale” — help describe the dark horror of child sex trafficking. Three words in a Vancouver-based activist group’s title — Shared Hope International — help describe the light that illuminates that horror. But it takes action by lawmakers to put any real teeth into the enforcement efforts.

Those T-shirts were worn by about a dozen activists at Marshall Park on Thursday morning. They were praising the passage of legislation that took effect that same day, creating tougher penalties against child sex traffickers and customers of child prostitutes, and making sure first-time child prostitutes are treated like victims instead of criminals.

That praise of legislators is earned. Shared Hope International founder Linda Smith said they “passed this law in record time.” But let’s remember also to praise the activists. Our state has become a national leader in tougher penalties for child sex trafficking, and it wouldn’t have happened without Smith and Shared Hope International advocates who worked tirelessly to inform legislators and lead them toward making a powerful difference. As of Thursday, the sentencing range for promotion of commercial sexual abuse of a minor increased to 93-318 months; previously it was 21-44 months. The fine for pimping of minors jumped from $550 to $5,000. For the johns who pay for sexual abuse of a minor, the sentencing range is 21-144 months; up from 1-68 months. Additionally, the “I thought she was 18” defense no longer matters. The john must also have asked to see a driver’s license or birth certificate.

All of that is what’s different for the criminals, the pimps and the johns. What is different for child prostitutes is the way they are treated, and it’s worth asking why any modern civilization would take this long to make such an adjustment. Now, child prostitutes will not face criminal charges on their first arrest but instead will receive juvenile services. In other words, until they become repeat offenders, child prostitutes — typically minors who have run away from home — will be helped instead of punished.

All of these are essential steps forward in the battle against child sex trafficking. But as Smith was quoted in a Columbian story, “a bill without action is just a piece of paper.” Law enforcement agencies must follow the legislators’ lead, and increased efforts already are under way in Vancouver, where Lt. John Chapman said officers are more vigilant to warning signs of child sex trafficking. For example, as Laura McVicker reported in the story, if a runaway is believed to be with an older man, that could be a sign of prostitution.

Prostituting children is more pervasive than many people might suspect. According to The News Tribune of Tacoma, a 2008 study estimated as many as 500 girls and boys are involved in prostitution in the Seattle area.

On the international human trafficking front, Smith’s work with Shared Hope International has turned up U.S. Department of Justice data that show 600,000 to 800,000 men, women and children are victims worldwide each year. More than half of them are children and most of those are victims of the commercial sex trade.

This year’s action by the Legislature is an appropriate reward for Shared Hope International and especially Smith (who served four years as Vancouver’s congressional representative until 1998 when, as a Republican, she lost a Senate bid to incumbent Democrat Patty Murray). As we reported four years ago, Shared Hope International puts 76.3 percent of its money into programs, spends 13.6 percent on fundraising expenses and 10.1 percent on administration, impressive percentages in the charities arena.

Congratulations to Shared Hope International, one of the real difference makers in our world.