NDAA Office of Human Trafficking FY 2016

January 4, 2016 • 8:50 am • ATEST

Committee on Armed Services
United States Senate

Armed Services Committee
House of Representatives

Establish an Office of Human Trafficking within the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) in the FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Need

The Defense Department has a zero tolerance policy for trafficking in persons. As DOD operates around the world, it has a moral obligation to fight this heinous crime, protect freedom, and create stability. DOD’s obligation holds its military, civilian employees, and contractors accountable. DOD is uniquely positioned to play an important role in combating trafficking in persons given the breadth and scope of its work in both its domestic and international operating environments.

Solution

We are requesting that the FY 2016 NDAA establish an Office of Human Trafficking located in the Office of the Secretary of Defense with dedicated FTE’s. The office would direct and support the implementation of DOD’s Strategic Plan for Combating Trafficking in Persons (CTIP). The implementation of the CTIP Strategic Plan would include issuing a DOD-wide policy that conforms to laws and executive orders on CTIP such as Title XVII of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) entitled, “Ending Trafficking in Government Contracting.” It would also include instituting training, education, and outreach programs to ensure greater awareness within the Department, as well as implementing standardized CTIP monitoring and enforcement processes and procedures that improve compliance and the reporting of incidents of trafficking.

The creation of a central DOD-wide office located within the OSD is the most efficient and effective organizational structure to ensure consistency in implementing the department’s CTIP strategy, which involves training, procurement and acquisition, and other DOD activities. An office located within the OSD would also provide a central point of contact internally as well externally and coordinate all functions within the department for CTIP activities.