§ 152. Grant to or contract with service
(a) To the extent that funds are appropriated for this purpose, the Virgin Islands Law Enforcement Planning Committee may make a grant to the Council for Human Trafficking or nongovernmental victim’s service organization to develop or expand service programs for victims. (b) A recipient of a grant or contract under subsection (a) shall report annually […]
§ 153. Uniformity of application and construction
In applying and construing this chapter, consideration must be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among jurisdictions that enact it.
§ 154. Severability
If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are severable.
§ 146. Motion to vacate and expunge conviction
(a) An individual convicted of prostitution or other nonviolent offenses committed as a direct result of being a victim may apply by motion to the Superior Court to vacate the conviction and expunge the record of conviction. The court may grant the motion on a finding that the individual’s participation in the offense was a […]
§ 147. Civil action
(a) A victim may bring a civil action against a person that commits an offense against the victim under section 133, 134, or 135 for compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief, and any other appropriate relief. (b) If a victim prevails in an action under this section, the court shall award the victim reasonable attorney’s […]
§ 148. Council on Human Trafficking
(a) The Council on Human Trafficking is established in the Virgin Islands Department of Justice. The Governor shall appoint the chair and members of the Council. Members must include representatives of: (1) the Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Human Services, the Virgin Islands Law Enforcement Planning Commission, the Virgin […]
§ 149. Display of public awareness sign; penalty for failure to display
(a) The Department of Justice shall cause to be displayed a public-awareness sign that contains the Virgin Islands and the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline information in every airport, marine transportation terminal facility rest area, and visitors center in the Territory, which are open to the public. (b) An employer shall display the public-awareness […]
§ 150. Eligibility for benefit or services
(a) A victim is eligible for a benefit or service available through the Criminal Victims Compensation Commission and other agencies identified in the plan developed under section 148(d)(1), regardless of immigration status. (b) A minor who has engaged in commercial sexual activity is eligible for a benefit or service available through the Department of Human […]
§ 151. Law enforcement protocol
(a) On request from an individual, who the Attorney General reasonably believes is a victim who is or has been subjected to a severe form of trafficking or criminal offense required for the individual to qualify for a nonimmigrant T or U visa under 8 U.S.C. section 1101(a)(15)(T) or 8 U.S.C. section 1101(a)(15)(U), or for […]
§ 142. Victim confidentiality
In an investigation of or a prosecution for an offense under this chapter, law-enforcement officers and the Attorney General’s Office shall keep confidential the identity, pictures, and images of the alleged victim and the family of the alleged victim, except to the extent that disclosure is: (1) necessary for the purpose of investigation or prosecution; […]