Missouri Statewide Council on Sex Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children

Mo. Rev. Stat. 210.1505 states that the Missouri Statewide Council on Sex Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children shall:

• Collect and analyze data relating to sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of children, including the number of reports made to the Department of Social Services Children's Division under Section 210.115, any information obtained from phone calls to the national sex trafficking hotline, the number of reports made to law enforcement, arrests, prosecution rates, and any other data important for any recommendations of the council. State departments and council members shall provide relevant data as requested by the council to fulfill the council's duties.
• Collect feedback from stakeholders, practitioners, and leadership throughout the state in order to develop best practices and procedures regarding the response to sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of children, including identification and assessment of victims; response and treatment coordination and collaboration across systems; trauma-informed, culturally competent victim-centered services; training for professionals in all systems; and investigating and prosecuting perpetrators.

The statute directs the Department of Social Services to provide administrative support to the council. It also states that the council shall submit a report of it activities to the Governor and General Assembly and the Joint Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect on or before December 31, 2023. The report is to include recommendations for priority needs and actions, including statutory or regulatory changes relating to the response to sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of children and services for child victims. The council will expire on Dec. 31, 2023.