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Safety of Children

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Child Exploitation

Exploitation of children is a violation of their innocence and basic rights. Because the Child Protection League believes children should be free to grow up in the secure environment of loving families and communities, we continue to educate, inform and unite people in action to protect our children from those who seek to violate them.

Protect Minnesota’s Kids Act

Did you know that in Minnesota, 85% of persons convicted of trafficking in child sexual abuse images receive probation, no prison time, no identification as a sexual predator and no record of criminal offense. CPL is in the forefront in the effort to get tougher sentencing guidelines and identify predatory offenders.

Please read details at Protect Minnesota’s Kids Act including action items you can take to help us protect our children, the victims.

Internet and Child Exploitation

Internet Safety for Children

Minnesota Legal Age of Consent

609.342 CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT IN THE FIRST DEGREE
Subdivision 1. Crime defined.
A person who engages in sexual penetration with another person, or in sexual contact with a person under 13 years of age as defined in section 609.341, subdivision 11, paragraph (c), is guilty of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree if any of the following circumstances exists:
(a) the complainant is under 13 years of age and the actor is more than 36 months older than the complainant. Neither mistake as to the complainant’s age nor consent to the act by the complainant is a defense;
(b) the complainant is at least 13 years of age but less than 16 years of age and the actor is more than 48 months older than the complainant and in a current or recent position of authority over the complainant. Neither mistake as to the complainant’s age nor consent to the act by the complainant is a defense;

Sexual Exploitations

Pornography

Pornography is a real and present danger to our children. Pornography is easily accessible and can pose mental, emotional and even physical dangers. Pornography and sex trafficking have much in common. Be knowledgeable and proactive to protect your children!

Have you wanted to talk to your children about pornography but weren’t sure how? Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today’s Young Kids is a great resource to read to your children to start the discussion.

Order through our CPL store.

The Porn Pandemic: The Devastating Effects on Children & Families

Human Trafficking

The Human Trafficking of children is undeniably one of the most reprehensible methods of exploiting a child, and the threat is ever-increasing. The MN Child Protection League works to alert people to this threat and provide resources to help parents protect their children.

Research indicates that children as young as 12 years of age are being recruited into the commercial sex industry. Minnesota ranks 13th in sex trafficking – nationwide. That statistic alone sounds the alarm for every parent to be on high alert in order to ensure their children are kept safe while at school, work or play.

Following the bulleted information below is a section of videos to watch and share. Rather than decrease, sex trafficking seems to be on the rise. Be informed and help safe guard our children!

Video Selections

Hearing and seeing often makes the urgency of this epidemic in our society and across the globe more poignant. In addition to the videos below, there are two excellent movies concerning sex trafficking that are worth watching.

  • Jaco Booyens: Trafficking Epidemic Fueled by Lockdowns, Police Cuts, and a Porous Border (49 minute video including transcript)
    Booyens breaks down the causes of the child sex trafficking crisis in America and the links he sees between sex trafficking, the pornography industry, and the spread of comprehensive sex ed curricula across the United States.
  • 8 DAYS
    As the oldest brother of a trafficking survivor, Jaco Booyens turned abolitionist and produced and directed the feature film 8 DAYS.
    Jaco Booyens Interview 8 Days Human Trafficking
    Jaco Booyens talks about his film 8 DAYS, the challenge of human sex trafficking and how the film can raise awareness.
  • Caged No More
    Inspired by real events, the movie is the story of Aggie Prejean, on a desperate search to find her two goddaughters who have been kidnapped by their sinister father. As the details unravel, it’s discovered he has taken them overseas to be sold into slavery. A drama meant to engage and educate audiences on the realities of human trafficking.

In this video Tim Ballard of Operation Underground Railroad explains the issue of human trafficking and how to protect your children from it.

Do you know the facts about human trafficking? Who are the victims and who are the perpetrators? You will learn how human trafficking works and how prevalent it has become. Know the signs.
(4 minute video)
A Stolen Life: Adolescent Human Trafficking and Exploitation (PDF)
Stop Sex Trafficking: The Call to end 21st Century Slavery
Minnesota ranks 13 th in the nation in sex trafficking. Unfortunately the issues presented in this video are still relevant and sobering as Donna Hughes, PhD looks at this dangerous and harmful industry.