DeKalb Times

State Representative Jeff Keicher's bill aimed at supporting underage trafficking victims has unanimously passed the Illinois House of Representatives. The legislation, known as House Bill 5465, focuses on helping child victims of human trafficking heal and overcome their traumatic experiences.

Keicher expressed his commitment to aiding trafficking victims, especially children, by stating, "Victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, especially children, represent our most vulnerable, and we need to do everything we can to help them through their recovery process." He highlighted the significance of the bill in providing a pathway for underage victims to expunge or seal their juvenile records related to any criminal activities they were coerced into while being exploited.

The initiative holds personal importance for Keicher, who shared a tragic family experience where a relative who suffered abuse as a child passed away due to insufficient resources for victims' recovery. Reflecting on the importance of addressing past trauma, Keicher emphasized, "One of the first steps in helping someone heal after immense trauma like sexual abuse is ensuring their past doesn’t follow them around, and I believe HB 5465 is an important component of helping victims heal."

Keicher voiced his gratitude for the bipartisan support the bill received in the House and expressed hope for a similar positive reception in the State Senate. Additionally, he underscored the need for increased awareness of human trafficking, urging the media and the public to report any suspected instances to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

State Representative Keicher represents the 70th District, encompassing parts of DeKalb, Kane, and McHenry Counties. For further details on HB 5465, interested individuals can access more information through the provided link.