# 18 Pa.C.S. § 3018: Evidence and defenses to human trafficking

> Pennsylvania · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C30_S3018

## Section

- **Citation:** 18 Pa.C.S. § 3018
- **Heading:** Evidence and defenses to human trafficking
- **Jurisdiction:** Pennsylvania
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Pennsylvania Code / Title 18 / Chapter 30 / Section 3018

## Text

(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).

## Nearby sections

- [18 Pa.C.S. § 3001 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C30_S3001.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 3011 Trafficking in individuals.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C30_S3011.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 3012 Involuntary servitude.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C30_S3012.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 3013 Patronizing a victim of sexual servitude.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C30_S3013.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 3014 Unlawful conduct regarding documents.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C30_S3014.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 3015 Nonpayment of wages.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C30_S3015.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 3016 Obstruction of justice.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C30_S3016.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 3017 Violation by business entities.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C30_S3017.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 3018 Evidence and defenses to human trafficking.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C30_S3018.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 3019 Victim protection during prosecution.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C30_S3019.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 3020 Restitution.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C30_S3020.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 3021 Asset forfeiture.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C30_S3021.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 3022 Professional licenses.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C30_S3022.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 3023 Cumulative remedies.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C30_S3023.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C30_S3018. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.