Protecting Child Sex Trafficking Victim Witnesses Act

This bill, known as the "Protecting Child Sex Trafficking Victim Witnesses Act," directs the Attorney General to develop and publish victim-centered guidance within 18 months of enactment. This guidance is specifically designed to strengthen protections for child sex trafficking victims testifying against human traffickers, covering practices to minimize adverse consequences, ensure safe travel and lodging, and implement comprehensive safety planning, including post-trial measures. Following its publication, the Attorney General must disseminate this guidance and provide training to all United States Attorney offices within 180 days. The legislation further amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 to mandate that Department of Justice training for law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges incorporates these new victim-centered protections. It also expands the authorized uses for the Victim-Centered Child Human Trafficking Deterrence Block Grant to include strengthening protections for testifying child victims. Additionally, the bill modernizes federal child victims' and witnesses' rights under title 18, United States Code, by updating terminology related to child sex trafficking and explicitly allowing for digital recording of testimony, alongside videotaping, to enhance flexibility and accessibility for child witnesses.