§ 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 […]
§ 133. Trafficking an individual
(a) A person commits the offense of trafficking an individual if the person knowingly recruits, transports, transfers, harbors, receives, provides, obtains, isolates, maintains, or entices an individual in furtherance of: (1) forced labor in violation of section 134; or (2) sexual servitude in violation of section 135. (b) Trafficking an individual who is an adult […]
§ 134. Forced labor
(a) A person commits the offense of forced labor if the person knowingly uses coercion to compel an individual to provide labor or services, except when such conduct is permissible under federal law or law of the Virgin Islands other than this chapter. (b) Forced labor of an individual who is an adult is a […]
§ 135. Sexual servitude
(a) A person commits the offense of sexual servitude if the person knowingly: (1) maintains or makes available a minor for the purpose of engaging the minor in commercial sexual activities; or (2) uses coercion or deception to compel an adult to engage in commercial sexual activity. (b) It is not a defense in a […]
§ 136. Patronizing a victim of sexual servitude
(a) A person commits the offense of patronizing a victim of sexual servitude if the person knowingly gives, agrees to give, or offers to give anything of value so that an individual may engage in commercial sexual activity with another individual and the person knows that the other individual is a victim of sexual servitude. […]
§ 137. Patronizing a minor for commercial sexual activity
(a) A person commits the offense of patronizing a minor for commercial sexual activity if: (1) with the intent that an individual engage in commercial sexual activity with a minor, the person gives, agrees to give, or offers to give anything of value to a minor or another person so that the individual may engage […]
§ 138. Business entity liability
(a) A person that is a business entity may be prosecuted for an offense under sections 133 through 137 only if: (1) the entity knowingly engages in conduct that constitutes human trafficking; or (2) an employee or nonemployee agent of the entity engages in conduct that constitutes human trafficking and the conduct is part of […]
§ 139. Aggravating circumstance
(a) An aggravating circumstance during the commission of an offense under section 133, 134, or 135 occurs when the defendant recruited, enticed, or obtained the victim of the offense from a shelter that serves individuals subjected to human trafficking, domestic violence, or sexual assault, runaway youth, foster children, or the homeless. (b) If the trier […]