Despite the considerable efforts by some South Dakota federal officials — U. S. Attorney Brendan Johnson and Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) in particular — anti-human trafficking group says the state of South Dakota is not doing enough to stop the criminal exploitation of children.

Shared Hope International says child , according to new research by Shared Hope International.

The Protected Innocence Challenge, a report on the state of child sex trafficking laws in the U.S., found that four years of sweeping legislative advancements allowed 42 states to raise their grade. In 2014, 37 states enacted 123 bills regarding domestic minor sex trafficking, resulting in the improvement of eight state grades. Louisiana earned the highest score, a 96 per cent. Pennsylvania, Colorado and Delaware enacted the greatest law changes, raising two grades.

South Dakota received an “F” grade according to PIC’s study. Fellow Northern Plains states Minnesota and Iowa received “Bs,” Wyoming a “C” and Montana and North Dakota “Ds.”

Improvements enable more aggressive investigation and prosecution, leaving traffickers searching for states with lower risk and greater tolerance, according to PIC. The group says as neighboring states crack down, the four remaining states with failing scores, California, Maine, Michigan and South Dakota, could become trafficking hot spots.

The study found buying sex with a minor is a felony in 50 states and they could face human trafficking charges in 49 states. However, many states struggle to enact laws that provide stricter penalties.

Shared Hope International, founded in 1998 by Congresswoman Linda Smith, is an anti-trafficking organization focusing on prevention, restoration and justice for victims of sex trafficking.

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