Department of State/ United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking FY 2017
THE FUNDING NEED
$500,000 to support the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking (“Council”) as authorized by Sec. 115 of Public Law 114-22.
Need
Sixteen years after the passage of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, there is now a substantial group of identified survivors of human trafficking who are willing and capable of informing policy, shaping programmatic and funding decisions, providing training and technical assistance, and leading educational efforts. Their voices need to be prioritized. Human trafficking survivors are in the best position to speak to policies that have the greatest impact and will effect real change. Survivors of human trafficking are more than just their stories — they have a deep understanding of the problem and what is needed to combat it and support survivors.
United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking (“Council”) was established to provide advice and recommendations to the Senior Policy Operating Group and the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking. This Council provides a formal mechanism for senior administration and agency representatives seeking survivor input. Survivors also have a designated and centralized place to provide their feedback. The Council values survivors beyond their story and provides the opportunity for survivor input on government priorities and actions that will improve the likelihood that proposed plans and solutions are effective.
In January 2016, 11 survivors were appointed to the Council. Funds are needed to cover the costs of organizing and convening meetings, reimbursing Council members travel and incidental expenses, and other activities authorized by the Act. We applaud the U.S. Government for working with survivors, not only on their behalf.
Solution
We request $500,000 to support the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking (“Council”) as authorized by Sec. 115 of Public Law 114-22, which established this Council to provide advice and recommendations to the Senior Policy Operating Group and the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking.