Bill to Protect Foster Youth

Rep. Reichert's Bill to Protect Foster Youth Passes Unanimously
Learn more about this important legislation!

On May 20, 2014, the House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill (HR 4058) sponsored by Washington's Representative Dave Reichert to prevent sex trafficking of youth in foster care. Experts estimate that approximately 100,000 youth in the foster care system across the U.S. are at risk of becoming victims of sexual abuse and exploitation.

The bipartisan bill encourages all states to enact policies and procedures that will:

Identify and protect children from sex trafficking in the foster care system,
Increase the means to collect data and report on child trafficking, and
Improve outcomes for youth in foster care.
One of Mockingbird's Senior Network Representatives, Mandy Urwiler, shared her story when Representative Reichert announced his bill here in Seattle. In her testimony, Mandy asked Congress to "protect vulnerable youth in care from predators." At age 13, she was beaten when she refused to accept money in exchange for sex from her classmates. "I don't want anyone else to have to go through that," she said.

Every month, at least 100 kids run away from their foster homes to escape abuse and neglect. In King County alone, advocates believe that more than 250 youth in foster care are victims of sex trafficking. This number demands that our community take action.

Representative Reichert remains committed to protecting young people like Mandy who may be at risk of sex trafficking or sexual exploitation. "We are not going to stop until we get every child off the street, until we protect every young girl, every young lady being taken advantage of by some pimp, some john or some trick," Reichert stated.