(Jan. 11, 2023) – Today, the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Representative Fred Patton (R-Topeka), received an informational briefing from Dr. Sharon Sullivan addressing human trafficking in Kansas. Dr. Sullivan highlighted today, Jan. 11, is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. The committee members learned education is a key component in stopping the practice. Conferees highlighted national trends including:

• Eighty-nine percent of child victims in active cases in 2020 were between 14 and 17 years old
• Fifty-three percent of victims in federal cases were children
• Experts believe only one percent of human trafficking victims are identified in the United States

Dr. Sullivan asked the committee to further consider Senate Bill 497 from the 2022 session.