(A) Victims of trafficking in persons pursuant to this article are considered victims for purposes of the Victims’ Bill of Rights and are entitled to all appropriate forms of compensation available pursuant to the South Carolina Victim Compensation Fund in accordance with the provisions of Article 13, Chapter 3 of Title 16. Victims of trafficking in persons pursuant to this article also are entitled to the rights provided in Article 15, Chapter 3 of Title 16.

(B) In addition to the provisions of subsection (A), in a prosecution for violations of the criminal provisions of this article, the identity of the victim and the victim’s family must be kept confidential by ensuring that names and identifying information of the victim and victim’s family are not released to the public, including by the defendant.

Have a question?
Click here to chat with a criminal defense lawyer and protect your rights.

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 16-3-2070

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Freedom of Information Act: A federal law that mandates that all the records created and kept by federal agencies in the executive branch of government must be open for public inspection and copying. The only exceptions are those records that fall into one of nine exempted categories listed in the statute. Source: OCC
  • Person: means an individual, corporation, partnership, charitable organization, or another legal entity. See South Carolina Code 16-3-2010
  • victim: means a person who has been subjected to the crime of trafficking in persons. See South Carolina Code 16-3-2010

(C) Pursuant to § 16-3-1240, it is unlawful, except for purposes directly connected with the administration of the victim compensation fund, for any person to solicit, disclose, receive, or make use of or authorize, knowingly permit, participate in or acquiesce in the use of any list, or names of, or information concerning persons applying for or receiving awards without the written consent of the applicant or recipient. The records, papers, files, and communications of the board, its panel and the director and his staff must be regarded as confidential information and privileged and not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act as contained in Chapter 4 of Title 30.