Young prostitutes get help, not jail, under new law

By Kelly Fay

Lawmakers hope recently enacted legislation will combat sexual slavery and human trafficking in New York. Under the new law, the court system has the authority to refer 16- and 17-year-olds with prostitution offenses to the Person In Need of Supervision program instead of jail.

The legislation, (A.8071/S.5839) sponsored by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, D-Scarsdale, is part of the Trafficking Victims and Justice Act — a series of bills that seeks to prevent the exploitation of minors, hold those who traffic and patronize them accountable and provide special training for judges who oversee prostitution cases for those under 18.

"By treating them as PINS we are acknowledging that they are victims, not perpetrators," Paulin said. "They need to be shown the care, attention and protection they deserve so they have every chance to break free from the cycle of violence and degradation that has become so prevalent in their lives."

The PINS program is a component of the family court system for children 9 to 18 who are determined to need guidance or supervision due to offenses such as truancy or underage drinking. The new law allows access to resources provided by the program like mental health counseling, social services and preventive services

http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-01-21-86478.113122-Young-prostitutes-get-help-not-jail-under-new-law.html