Across the country, for far too long, children who were victims of sex trafficking have been punished instead of protected. Many were arrested, prosecuted, and sentenced to years—even decades—behind bars for crimes they were caused to commit by their traffickers. They were not seen as victims. No one was listening—or knew what to listen for.

Instead of receiving care and safety, they were met with handcuffs and convictions. For those charged as adults, the injustice is even greater: survivors have received sentences 10, 20, even 50 times longer than they would have in juvenile court. Many remain in prison today, still carrying the weight of crimes committed against them.

Lived Experience Expert and Just Like Me Campaign Leader Yvonne shares:

“I was trafficked and raped from the age of 11. At 16 years old, I was arrested, told I was the criminal, and spent many years in jail. Yet nobody was there to stop my trafficker or the men paying him to use me. Through the help of Shared Hope International, I am now able to be that voice I wish I’d had at 16 through the Just Like Me Campaign, which is working to bring notice to this kind of injustice and give a voice to those still in prison.”

Every child deserves protection—not punishment. Every survivor deserves justice—not a lifetime defined by their trauma.

We call on lawmakers, governors, and justice system leaders across the nation to:

Identify and protect child sex trafficking victims at every point of contact with the justice system.

End the criminalization of survivors for acts committed as a result of their exploitation.

Provide relief—including clemency, resentencing, and record clearance—for those still imprisoned or burdened by convictions tied to their trafficking.

Add your name today to stand with survivors like Yvonne and demand justice for those whose voices have gone unheard for too long.

✍️ Sign the petition. Hear their story. Help change the ending.