Tell Your Senators To Pass The TVPRA

This week, Congress is holding an oversight hearing on federal efforts to combat human trafficking. ECPAT-USA has worked with both the House and Senate on their reauthorizations of The Trafficking Victims Protection Act, legislation that is crucial to preventing trafficking and supporting survivors. 

Senators John Cornyn and Amy Klobuchar recently introduced the Abolish Human Trafficking Act of 2022, which will reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017 as well as implement key steps to end the criminalization of children. The bill contains essential provisions that would reform current standards for child sex crime victims who are being prosecuted within the adult criminal justice system, including: 

• Gives judges the ability to depart from harsh punishments by allowing such cases to be referred to a juvenile court;

• Creates grants for human trafficking prevention and assistance for victims of trafficking; 

• Ensures protection and confidentiality for human trafficking survivors; 

• Bolsters the ability of state, local and tribal child welfare agencies to identify and respond to vulnerable children at risk of trafficking;

• Exempts restitution for trafficking survivors from federal taxes.

Additionally, Senators Chuck Grassley and Diane Feinstein introduced the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022. This particular reauthorization would extend critical victims services programs, promote additional screening of human trafficking victims and enhance training for federal investigators. This provision is incredibly important, as collaboration with law enforcement is essential as we continue to develop ways to better protect children. The bill also enables victims to obtain the justice they rightfully deserve and provides education for both law enforcement and high-risk youth to better detect trafficking. 

It is more important than ever to contact your Senators and urge them to support this critical legislation. You can access a template for emailing them here. ECPAT-USA will continue to engage with Congress in an effort to inform and help develop policy solutions that seek to better serve survivors of trafficking and at-risk communities.

Learn more about cases related to these issues across the country that recently made headlines:

• Sex Trafficking Victims Are Being Punished. A New Law Could Change That. When Sara Kruzan shot and killed her trafficker while still a minor, she was convicted of first-degree murder. None of the abuse she experienced was permitted to be used as evidence in Sara’s defense at her trial.

• Nine Members and Associates of Nationwide Sex Trafficking and Prostitution Enterprise Indicted on Racketeering and Related Charges. The enterprise recruited women, most of whom were from China and lacked legal status in the United States, to engage in prostitution in locations throughout the country.

• Baltimore Sex Trafficker Admits to Recruiting a 14-Year-Old Minor Near a Group Home to Engage in Commercial Sex. According to his plea agreement, the man knowingly recruited, enticed, transported, and advertised a 14-year-old female to engage in commercial sex acts for his own financial benefit.

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