United States

The United States of America (USA) is a federal constitutional republic consisting of 50 states and a federal district. The United States is the world’s third largest country by total area and the fourth largest by population. It is located in North America and is bordered by Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. The United States has a rich history and a diverse culture, with influences from many different ethnic and racial groups. The country is known for its political and economic freedoms, as well as for its advancements in technology, science, and the arts. The capital of the United States is Washington, D.C. and the largest city is New York City.

Farm labor advocates, leaders concerned after reported human trafficking, ties to Georgia officials
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Farm labor advocates, leaders concerned after reported human trafficking, ties to Georgia officials

Farmworker advocates are concerned about revelations in a USA TODAY story published April 19 that revealed Georgia Department of Labor officials have ties to one of the largest U.S. human …

California Couple Sentenced for Conspiring to Subject Mother and Her Daughter to Labor Trafficking
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California Couple Sentenced for Conspiring to Subject Mother and Her Daughter to Labor Trafficking

Nery A. Martinez Vasquez, 54, and Maura N. Martinez, 54, both of Shasta Lake, California, were both sentenced today for conspiring to subject three victims to forced labor, a crime to which the defendants had previously pleaded guilty. Vasquez was sentenced to six and a half years in prison and Martinez was sentenced to three…

Florida Man Charged with Sex Trafficking and Firearm Offenses
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Florida Man Charged with Sex Trafficking and Firearm Offenses

BOSTON – A Florida man has been charged with allegedly trafficking two women to engage in commercial sex acts and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Angelo Dominic Lombardo, 27, was charged by criminal complaint with two counts of sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud and coercion and one…

DOJ Commemorates National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
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DOJ Commemorates National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime (“OVC”) and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa will join federal, state, and local communities nationwide in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and celebrating victims’ rights, protections, and services. This year’s observance takes place April 24-30…

Justice Department Recognizes Human Trafficking Survivor and Advocate from Washington with Special Courage Award – Department of Justice
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Justice Department Recognizes Human Trafficking Survivor and Advocate from Washington with Special Courage Award – Department of Justice

The Office for Victims of Crime, a component of the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs, presented the Special Courage Award to Suamhirs Piraino-Guzman, a human trafficking survivor and advocate residing in Seattle, Washington. This Special Courage Award category honors a victim or survivor who has shown exceptional perseverance or determination. It may also acknowledge…

Brave Movement Survivors and Allies Call on World Leaders to #BeBrave to End Childhood Sexual Violence
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Brave Movement Survivors and Allies Call on World Leaders to #BeBrave to End Childhood Sexual Violence

  ECPAT International endorses the Brave Movement Press Release of April 27 – 2022 29 April 2022 – On 27 April 2022, the #BeBrave Global Survivors Action Summit adult survivors of childhood sexual violence and allies in 22 countries (Albania, Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria,…

“Faces of human trafficking” video series from the Office of Victims of Crime at the U.S. Department of Justice
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“Faces of human trafficking” video series from the Office of Victims of Crime at the U.S. Department of Justice

The series is intended to be used for outreach and education efforts of service providers, law enforcement, prosecutors, and others in the community.

Stories you may have missed: Sex Trafficking Victims Being Punished; Sex Trafficker Admits to Recruiting a 14-Year-Old Minor; Nationwide Sex Trafficking and Prostitution Enterprise Indictments
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Stories you may have missed: Sex Trafficking Victims Being Punished; Sex Trafficker Admits to Recruiting a 14-Year-Old Minor; Nationwide Sex Trafficking and Prostitution Enterprise Indictments

Defendant Instructed Enforcer: “If She Dares Fight Back, Beat Her More Viciously. Get Some Results from the Beating.”

ATEST Testifies to House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security on Ways to Plug Gaps in U.S. Anti-trafficking Programs
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ATEST Testifies to House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security on Ways to Plug Gaps in U.S. Anti-trafficking Programs

April 27, 2022 • 8:37 am • Terry FitzPatrick ATEST is was well represented at Wednesday’s herring of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. Speakers at the session included: ATEST Director Terry FitzPatrick (see written testimony here) ATEST member organization Human Trafficking Legal Center Founder and President Martina Vandenberg (see written…