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Congress·In Committee·about 1 month ago

Congress targets safer, less traumatic court testimony for child sex trafficking victims

Also known as: Protecting Child Sex Trafficking Victim Witnesses Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Negative Impacts(1)
Criminal Record
Hurts
Mixed Impacts(1)
Federal Employee
Neutral
Positive Impacts(1)
Child Tax Credit
Helps

Key Points

  • Directs the Justice Department to create victim-centered guidance to better protect child sex trafficking victims who testify in trafficking cases.
  • The guidance would cover ways to reduce harm from testifying, plus safer travel and lodging, having trusted support people present, and safety planning after trial.
  • Requires the Attorney General to train and share the guidance with every U.S. Attorney’s Office within 180 days after it’s published.
  • Updates federal child victim and witness rules to clearly include child sex trafficking and to allow testimony to be recorded digitally (not just on videotape).
  • Expands how certain anti-trafficking block grant funds can be used, including to put these victim-protection practices into place.
Criminal JusticeCivil Rights

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Jan 22, 2026House

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Jan 22, 2026

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

After the guidance is published and trainings are updated to match it

Updated training requirements kick in for federal law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges on protecting child witnesses in trafficking cases.

People working these cases are more likely to follow child-centered protocols, which can reduce trauma for victims and improve safety during and after trial.

As courts and agencies update procedures and equipment after enactment

Federal courts and investigators increasingly use digital recordings (not just videotape) where recordings are allowed for child victims/witnesses.

May make it easier to capture testimony in child-friendly ways using modern equipment, which can reduce repeated retelling and scheduling burdens in some situations.

Related News

1 article
Women’s Congressional Policy Institute·about 1 month ago

Weekly Legislative Update: January 26, 2026

Legislative roundup lists H.R. 7225 (introduced 1/22/2026) as a bill to strengthen protections for child sex trafficking victims testifying against human traffickers, noting sponsor, committee referral, and cosponsorship.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

To strengthen protections for child sex trafficking victims testifying against human traffickers.

Bill NumberHR 7225
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
D: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.