Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Chapter 30 - Human Trafficking
Section 3018 - Evidence and defenses to human trafficking


(a) General rule.--Evidence of the age of the victim of human trafficking with respect to the age of consent to sex or legal age of marriage shall not constitute a defense in a prosecution for a violation under this chapter, nor shall the evidence preclude a finding of a violation under this chapter.
(1) (Deleted by amendment).
(2) (Deleted by amendment).
(a.1) Evidence of victim's sexual conduct.--The provisions of section 3104 (relating to evidence of victim's sexual conduct) shall apply to prosecutions under this chapter.
(b) Victim's consent to employment contract in labor servitude.--The consent of the victim of human trafficking to an employment contract, notwithstanding if there was not fraud involved in the contract's formation, shall not be a defense to labor trafficking if force or coercion as described in section 3012(b) (relating to involuntary servitude) were involved in the making of the contract.
(c) Victim's age in sexual servitude.--Except as provided in section 3102 (relating to mistake as to age), evidence of a defendant's lack of knowledge of a person's age, or a reasonable mistake of age, is not a defense for a violation of this chapter involving the sexual servitude of a minor.
(June 30, 2021, P.L.179, No.32, eff. 60 days)

2021 Amendment. Act 32 amended subsec. (a) and added subsec. (a.1).

Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes

Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes

Title 18 - CRIMES AND OFFENSES

Chapter 30 - Human Trafficking

Extra - Chapter Notes

Section 3001 - Definitions

Section 3011 - Trafficking in individuals

Section 3012 - Involuntary servitude

Section 3013 - Patronizing a victim of sexual servitude

Section 3014 - Unlawful conduct regarding documents

Section 3015 - Nonpayment of wages

Section 3016 - Obstruction of justice

Section 3017 - Violation by business entities

Section 3018 - Evidence and defenses to human trafficking

Section 3019 - Victim protection during prosecution

Section 3020 - Restitution

Section 3021 - Asset forfeiture

Section 3022 - Professional licenses

Section 3023 - Cumulative remedies

Section 3024 - Sentencing

Section 3025 - Data collection

Section 3026 - Concurrent jurisdiction

Section 3031 - Grants

Section 3051 - Civil causes of action

Section 3052 - Protection of victims

Section 3053 - Appropriate implementation for minor victims of human trafficking (Repealed)

Section 3054 - Services

Section 3055 - Victims in shelters

Section 3056 - Special relief to restore victim's dignity and autonomy

Section 3061 - Statewide protocol

Section 3062 - Specialized services for sexually exploited children

Section 3063 - Law enforcement training

Section 3064 - Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund

Section 3065 - Safe harbor for sexually exploited children

Section 3071 - Funding

Section 3072 - Nonexclusivity