Hawaii Gets an 'F' For Preventing Sex Trafficking

The nation is failing sex trafficking victims — especially children victims. And Hawaii is part of the problem, scoring an F, according to a new report by advocacy group Shared Hope International.

The study graded each state on whether it has laws to protect children caught in the sex trade — and penalties to punish traffickers and adults seeking their services.

To be sure, 25 other states also earned F grades, and not one state earned an A.

Even states considered to have good laws on the books — Washington and Texas — earned Bs.

Hawaii scored poorly on the report — we come in third to last — in large part because the state does not have a sex trafficking law.

Earlier this year, Hawaii passed a labor trafficking law — a first for the state. A sex trafficking bill died in part because Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro came out against it, saying that existing laws cover the crime. Instead, advocates settled for a measure strengthening existing laws criminalizing prostitution.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed both into law this summer.

Read Hawaii's report card [pdf] and an analysis [pdf].

DISCUSSION: Do you think Hawaii is doing enough to address sex trafficking?

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