Milwaukee County judges: 'We have to do something' about child sex-trafficking.

• Date: 07 August 2014
• Author: Eric Heisig, eric.heisig@wislawjournal.com
• Published date: 07 August 2014

Byline: Eric Heisig, eric.heisig@wislawjournal.com

A Milwaukee committee working to address the needs of sex-trafficking victims in the juvenile system is starting to attract the attention of judges who decide the cases that will determine the victims' fates.

The informal committee has been meeting monthly since January 2013 at Milwaukee County Children's Court in Wauwatosa. The number of prosecutors, public defenders and treatment providers that show up at each meeting varies, but usually hovers around 15.

The thrust of the group is to discuss a recent influx of cases stemming from child sex trafficking in Milwaukee. Often, those involved say, the trauma of a child who is sent out to prostitute his or herself can lead to criminal behavior, and it is important to address the underlying problem through counseling or treatment.

"Everybody's sort of figuring out that the worst thing we can do is put these kids in detention, because we're basically locking up victims," committee member and Assistant Public Defender Diane Rondini-Harness said.

So far, she said, the group's meetings have led to a better understanding of the victims' plights. The committee has yet to make any policy recommendations for Milwaukee's courts.

But children's court judges are starting to take notice. Children's Court Judge Mike Dwyer said he wants to participate, as...