Bill names New Hanover as one of three counties for sex trafficking pilot program

RALEIGH, NC (AP/WWAY) – North Carolina has laws punishing human traffickers, but some House members say more must be done to prevent young women from entering the forced sex trade and help those rescued from it get their lives back on track.

House Republicans on Tuesday discussed proposed legislation to establish a pilot program in three urban counties to teach public school students about the dangers and signs of human trafficking and teach law enforcement officers how to detect it. The measure also envisions funding to help nonprofits create shelters that house sex-slave victims and to provide mental health services.

The tentative price tag is more than $50 million over two years. Rep. Bill Brawley of Matthews says he’d ultimately like to see a program go statewide and to increase penalties against traffickers.

According to the bill, students in 6th, 8th, and 10th grades will be part of the pilot program.  Before the program is entered into the curriculum, teachers and instructional support staff responsible for educating the students shall receive training. All materials will be age appropriate.

One of the Primary Sponsors of the bill is Rep. Ted Davis Jr.

The pilot program applies to New Hanover, Wake and Mecklenburg Counties.

Click here to read House Bill 910.