Hope for Justice urges Senators to reauthorize US Trafficking Victims Protection Act

Hope for Justice has spearheaded a new letter addressed to US Senators, strongly endorsing the reauthorization of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). The letter was sent on behalf of 85 Anti-Trafficking Organizations and Leaders to all Senators today, on 28th November.

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 before hopefully passing it this year. We strongly endorse its reauthorization at this critical time before the new Congress enters in January.

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 reiterates:

“It is vital that Congress move with haste to reauthorize essential anti-trafficking programs across the U.S. government – before the end of the 117^th 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.

The full letter can be read via this link: TVPA Senate Sign On Letter