Hope for Justice and allies across the anti-trafficking sector have published a new letter addressed to US Senators, strongly endorsing the reauthorization of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). Hope for Justice led on the drafting of the letter, which was sent on behalf of 85 anti-trafficking organizations and leaders to all Senators today (November 28th).
As the letter outlines, the act is the most crucial anti-trafficking framework set into US Federal law. Originally introduced in 2000, the act has been reauthorized numerous times to enhance its anti-trafficking measures. The legislation expired in September 2021, and discussions regarding its reauthorization are in the final stages; we strongly endorse its reauthorization at this critical time before the new Congress begins in January 2023.
Why is TVPA so important?
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act establishes the federal government’s response to human trafficking, meaning that it applies across all 50 states. These measures are numerous and seek to comprehensively cover all kinds of human trafficking in their complexities. This is crucial in having a joint approach to human trafficking, which increasingly impacts all parts of the United States. Hope for Justice has been active in leading efforts in Congress to see this reauthorization pass.
The act provides critical funding that is necessary to support survivors. This is through investigations into cases of human trafficking and providing survivor care and support. It also bolsters prevention efforts, for example through the provision of widespread education programmes, particularly in places deemed to be more vulnerable to trafficking risks.
The TVPA will also require all hotel employees in the US to be trained on the signs of human trafficking. This is crucial given the key role hotels play as venues of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. A mere 1% of trafficking victims are ever identified; the TVPA will address this critical gap and will act to aid identification and reduce human trafficking.
TVPA promotes a comprehensive federal approach: its wide scope is crucial in combating this complex and ever-evolving issue. Tim Nelson, CEO of Hope for Justice says: “The scale of human trafficking within the US that we see must be met with proportional, effective measures to address it. Reauthorizing TVPA is a paramount step in ensuring that these measures remain in place, to prevent & combat trafficking in all forms and support its survivors.”
Nate King, Director of Congressional Affairs at International Justice Mission, who supported us in drafting the letter, added: “It is vital that Congress move with haste to reauthorize essential anti-trafficking programs across the U.S. government – before the end of the 117th Congress in January 2023. House and Senate leadership should ensure votes on these bills as soon as possible.”
At base, our letter is an appeal from anti-trafficking actors who recognise the core need of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act firsthand. With 85 signatures from some of the most influential anti-trafficking organizations and leaders in the US, the letter calls on US Senators to allow for the much-needed anti-trafficking work to continue. We urge Senators to reauthorize the act.
Signatories (as of November 29th, 2022):
1. Hope for Justice
2. International Justice Mission
3. Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives
4. National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE)
5. Rights4Girls
6. Polaris
7. 3Strands Global Foundation
8. Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST)
9. Shared Hope International
10. ECPAT-USA
11. Covenant House
12. McCain Institute
13. RAINN
14. World Without Exploitation
15. The Foundation United
16. Freedom Collaborative
17. Operation Underground Railroad
18. A21
19. Free the Slaves
20. Parliamentary Task Force on Human Trafficking
21. The Joseph Project
22. Thistle Farms
23. Restore NYC
24. Street Grace
25. Stepping Stones Network
26. Alliance for Freedom, Restoration and Justice (AFRJ)
27. Freedom Business Alliance
28. National Network for Youth
29. National Children’s Alliance
30. Global Strategic Operatives
31. ANEW Life International
32. Philomena Project
33. Freedom Network USA
34. The Jensen Project
35. Love Never Fails
36. Fight for Us
37. The Houston 20
38. No Trafficking Zone
39. Lynn’s Warriors
40. Realized Potential Inc.
41. Foundation Ra
42. Protect America’s Daughters
43. Beloved Haven
44. Global Collaborative for the Protection and Healing of Child Dignity
45. Marsh Law Firm PLLC
46. Ascend Consulting
47. General Federation of Women’s Clubs
48. Uncaged
49. Hope Found of Northeast Arkansas
50. Into the Light
51. Paving the Way Foundation
52. Arrow Child & Family Ministries
53. Prevention Works Joint Task Force and Coalition
54. Guided Purposes, LLC
55. OWNA Corp.
56. Project STAND
57. Southwest Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking
58. Nurses United Against Human Trafficking
59. Reflective Spaces Ministry, Corp
60. A&K Ranch Ministries, LLC
61. Paradigm Shift Training and Consulting
62. Metanoia Manor
63. The Genesis Project
64. Community Campaign Against Human Trafficking – West Florida
65. West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services
66. National District Attorneys Association
67. Jasmine Grace Outreach
68. The Avery Center
69. Free for Life International
70. Naomi’s House
71. C-FAM
72. Freedom from Exploitation
73. Survivor Leader Network of San Diego
74. Compass 31
75. The Family Crisis Center
76. San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
77. Justice Resource Institute
Individuals:
78. Ambassador John Cotton Richmond (Ret.)
79. Hon. Tanya Gould – Anti-Trafficking Director for the Commonwealth of Virginia
80. Hon. Jennisue Jessen – Member of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking
81. Dr. Ekaterina Kostioukhina, M.D. – Survivor Leader, Member of Parliamentary Task Force on Human Trafficking
82. Barbara Amaya – Survivor Leader, Author of “Nobody’s Girl”
83. Jeanette Westbrook – Survivor Leader, Human Trafficking Committee
84. Victoria Galy – Survivor Leader
85. Coreen Glen – Board Member of US Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking
