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Cindy McCain, Klobuchar To Speak On Sex Trafficking In St. Paul

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- They may be on opposite party lines, but two women are joining forces for one common goal.

Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Cindy McCain, wife of Republican Sen. John McCain, were in St. Paul Monday to raise awareness about sex trafficking.

Klobuchar and McCain have been champions of stiff sex trafficking laws and legislation to protect victims.

Both women are slated to speak at an event in St. Paul called Our Children Are Not For Sale.

Just last month, President Barack Obama signed the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act into law. It helps law enforcement crack down on human traffickers while also providing restitution and justice for victims.

Klobuchar authored a provision for the law that ensures minors sold for sex aren't prosecuted as defendants, but are instead treated as victims.

The provision was modeled after Minnesota's Safe Harbor law.

Colleen Schmitt, the director of Day One, said getting the word out about sex trafficking is critical.

Day One oversees the state's crisis hotline.

"It can affect their lives dramatically," Schmitt said. "The trauma you experience from being exploited day in and day out is huge. It all ties into issues of homelessness and also family life, like there's nowhere to go for help where it will be safe."

Schmitt said it's hard to put a number on sex trafficking victims in the state because it's such a hidden crime.

She added that it's difficult for victims and survivors to come forward.

But this event is raising awareness. It's at the Ewald Conference Center in St. Paul and starts at 2 p.m.

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