ATEST Joins Movement-Wide Call Urging Senate to Pass Anti-Trafficking Act

November 28, 2022 • 10:28 am • Terry FitzPatrick

November 28, 2022

Dear United States Senators:

We, a community of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and anti-trafficking leaders working to end human trafficking, declare in solidarity that we strongly support the reauthorization of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). We are grateful for the energy and attention to this issue that has already occurred this year, and we urge you to support the forthcoming legislative package in the Senate, S. 4171, S. 3946, S.3949, and H.R. 6552, which will reauthorize these essential programs that lapsed in September 2021.

This is the most critical piece of anti-trafficking legislation in the United States because it establishes the framework for the federal government's response to human trafficking. Most notably, it provides critical funding to support survivors and combat human trafficking in all forms both domestically and internationally. It also improves existing efforts to prevent trafficking, protect victims and prosecute traffickers.

Human trafficking, also known as “trafficking in persons” or “modern slavery,” deprives people of their freedom and dignity. According to the U.S. Department of State, “It undermines national security, distorts markets, and enriches transnational criminals and terrorists.”¹ It is also increasing around the world at an alarming rate, and undoubtedly is one of the greatest humanitarian crises of our modern world.

Human traffickers are organized; therefore, effective efforts to combat them must be organized as well. This legislation represents an organized bipartisan and bicameral effort to prevent and stop human trafficking both here in the United States and internationally. We thank you for your leadership and urge you to support this legislation.

Sincerely,

Organizations:

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
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
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. Tanya Gould – Anti-Trafficking Director for the Commonwealth of Virginia
80. Jennisue Jessen – Member of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking
81. 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

¹ U.S. Department of State Policy Issues: Human Trafficking https://www.state.gov/policy-issues/human-trafficking/

downloadable .pdf

Press Contact: ATEST Director Terry FitzPatrick | 571-282-9913 | [email protected]