AG wants to fight child trafficking

Associated Press

Updated: Dec 31, 2012 11:09 AM

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen wants to make ending child trafficking a priority in the next year.

He tells the State Journal he wants to hire five full-time employees, including three special agents and two criminal analysts, who would work to fight child sex trafficking.

In addition, he wants to hold more training for law enforcement, prosecutors, and victim and witness coordinators and to work with lawmakers to draft human trafficking-related legislation.

Van Hollen asked for more than $900,000 in his department's two-year budget request.

Gov. Scott Walker's spokesman Cullen Werwie said the governor's office is reviewing it.

Van Hollen's spokeswoman Dana Brueck says the department doesn't have statistics on the scope of the problem in Wisconsin. But she says it would naive to think it isn't happening.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Political Pulse

We welcome your thoughtful comments. Be the first to participate in the discussion. All comments will display your username and avatar.