By William Rashbaum

Published in The New York Times on September 25, 2013

“New York State is creating a statewide system of specialized criminal courts to handle prostitution cases and provide services to help wrest human- and sex-trafficking victims from the cycle of exploitation and arrest, the state’s chief judge announced on Wednesday. The initiative is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation.”

Read more: With Special Courts, State Aims to Steer Women Away From Sex Trade