Yet in too many cases, these children are treated as criminals instead of victims.

House Bill 191 makes it clear: minors who engage in commercial sex are victims of sex trafficking and cannot and should not be prosecuted for prostitution — the very crime that represents their abuse. Arresting a child for being exploited only compounds the trauma and creates barriers to healing.

HB 191 ensures that trafficked youth are treated as abused children and connected to services, not handcuffs.

No child should have a criminal record for their own victimization.

Tell Governor Spanberger to support HB 191 and stand up for children who deserve protection — not prosecution.