Status:
Enacted
Commercial Sexual Exploitation

Decriminalization of Child Sex Trafficking Victims (2016)

SB 1322 (Mitchell)
Location
California

In 2016, California signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 1322 which precludes minor victims of commercial sexual exploitation from being arrested and charged with prostitution and loitering with intent. Authored by Senator Holly Mitchell and strongly supported by the National Center for Youth Law, this bill recognizes the harmful effects of arresting victims for their perpetrators' crime, including further traumatization, disconnection from the community and school, and vulnerability to violence. It is supported by recent federal and state law aimed at building capacity in the child welfare system to identify and serve CSEC suvivors.

NCYL is working closely with its partners to educate stakeholders and ensure the smooth implementation of SB 1322.

Downloads
Fact Sheet
Links
MOU template for state and Federal CSEC Requirements

Our Success & Impact

Get up to date on our latest work - from litigation and policy wins to new reports, resources, events and more.
Success and Impact

CA Law Affirms: There Is No Such Thing As A Child Prostitute

Through NCYL’s advocacy, youth under 18 can no longer be arrested for prostitution offenses in California - recognizing that youth are victims of...
Success and Impact

In California, There is No Longer Such a Thing as a Child Prostitute

Governor Jerry Brown has signed SB 1322 which will change the landscape for child victims of sex trafficking. By doing so, California has joined the...
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Related Initiatives

Drive Change Through Survivor And Youth Leadership

NCYL convenes survivor leaders and engages with youth impacted by CSE to better understand the impact of exploitation, the challenges young people experience, and the services and supports they and their families need to meet their goals and thrive. Their voices drive every part of our work.

Transform The Legal Landscape To Recognize And Treat CSE As Child Abuse

NCYL partners with survivors leaders and key stakeholders to shift public perception, change laws, and secure funding to stop punishing people impacted by CSE.

Related Resources

A Guide to Implementing & Evaluating Services for Youth Experiencing Commercial Sexual Exploitation

Supporting the holistic needs of children and youth experiencing commercial sexual exploitation requires thoughtful collaboration and assessment among...
Report cover with photo of the back of the head of five people sitting on a park bench
Reports

Building Bridges: How Los Angeles County Came Together to Support Children and Youth Impacted by Commercial Sexual Exploitation

Produced in partnership with Los Angeles County, “Building Bridges: How Los Angeles County Came Together to Support Children and Youth Impacted by...
Reports

Ending Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children: A Call for Multi-System Collaboration in California

The National Center for Youth Law released a new report, "Ending Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children: A Call for Multi-System Collaboration in...
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See All Laws & Policy

Justice for Survivors (2024)

AB 2354 (Bonta)

AB 2354 is a crucial bill in California aimed at ensuring that all survivors of intimate partner violence, human trafficking, and other forms of violence can petition the court for vacatur relief,
Active

Justice for Survivors (2021)

AB 124 (Kamlager)

AB 124 aims to support survivors of violence, including domestic violence and human trafficking, by providing trauma-informed charging, sentencing, and resentencing relief and trial advocacy considerations.
Enacted

Training Law Enforcement to Protect Sexually Exploited Children (2018)

AB 2992 (Daly)

This law requires law enforcement have the knowledge and skills needed to protect sexually exploited children.
Enacted