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To combat the effects of child sex trafficking, a small movement of so-called "girls courts" is starting to take hold in parts of the country.
And while there are no immediate plans for such a court in Milwaukee, there is a group discussing the effects on the courts of children being sold into prostitution.
Girls courts now exist in counties in several states -- including Michigan, Hawaii and California -- and are seen as a way to address female juvenile delinquency issues. The courts are not dissimilar to treatment courts that have popped up for adults in Wisconsin, such as ones tailored for veterans, or people struggling with drugs or alcohol.
According to an article on MLive, a newly established court in Genesee County, Mich., "would flag girls coming through the juvenile justice system ... (and) then court officials would work to set the girls up with a network of resources and counseling tailored to steer them...