ATEST Joins Movement-Wide Call Urging Senate to Pass Anti-Trafficking Act
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:
- Hope for Justice
- International Justice Mission
- Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives
- National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE)
- Rights4Girls
- Polaris
- 3Strands Global Foundation
- Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST)
- Shared Hope International
- ECPAT-USA
- Covenant House
- McCain Institute
- RAINN
- World Without Exploitation
- The Foundation United
- Freedom Collaborative
- Operation Underground Railroad
- A21
- Free the Slaves
- Parliamentary Task Force on Human Trafficking
- The Joseph Project
- Thistle Farms
- Restore NYC
- Street Grace
- Stepping Stones Network
- Alliance for Freedom, Restoration and Justice (AFRJ)
- Freedom Business Alliance
- National Network for Youth
- National Children’s Alliance
- Global Strategic Operatives
- ANEW Life International
- Philomena Project
- Freedom Network USA
- The Jensen Project
- Love Never Fails
- Fight for Us
- The Houston 20
- No Trafficking Zone
- Lynn’s Warriors
- Realized Potential
- Foundation Ra
- Protect America’s Daughters
- Beloved Haven
- Global Collaborative for the Protection and Healing of Child Dignity
- Marsh Law Firm PLLC
- Ascend Consulting
- General Federation of Women’s Clubs
- Uncaged
- Hope Found of Northeast Arkansas
- Into the Light
- Paving the Way Foundation
- Arrow Child & Family Ministries
- Prevention Works Joint Task Force and Coalition
- Guided Purposes, LLC
- OWNA
- Project STAND
- Southwest Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking
- Nurses United Against Human Trafficking
- Reflective Spaces Ministry, Corp
- A&K Ranch Ministries, LLC
- Paradigm Shift Training and Consulting
- Metanoia Manor
- The Genesis Project
- Community Campaign Against Human Trafficking – West Florida
- West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services
- National District Attorneys Association
- Jasmine Grace Outreach
- The Avery Center
- Free for Life International
- Naomi’s House
- C-FAM
- Freedom from Exploitation
- Survivor Leader Network of San Diego
- Compass 31
- The Family Crisis Center
- San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
- Justice Resource Institute
Individuals:
- Ambassador John Cotton Richmond (Ret.)
- Tanya Gould – Anti-Trafficking Director for the Commonwealth of Virginia
- Jennisue Jessen – Member of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking
- Ekaterina Kostioukhina, M.D. – Survivor Leader, Member of Parliamentary Task Force on Human Trafficking
- Barbara Amaya – Survivor Leader, Author of “Nobody’s Girl”
- Jeanette Westbrook – Survivor Leader, Human Trafficking Committee
- Victoria Galy – Survivor Leader
- 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/
Press Contact: ATEST Director Terry FitzPatrick | 571-282-9913 | [email protected]