Alliance to End Slavery & Trafficking Applauds Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015
For Release: February 23, 2015
Contact: Liz Baker, [email protected], +1 202 503 3221
Washington, DC—The Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST) today voiced its support for S.178, Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, introduced by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX).
“This legislation elevates the priority of protecting all trafficking victims by strengthening access to restitution, expanding training for law enforcement, and improving data collection on human trafficking,” said Melysa Sperber, Director of ATEST.
ATEST also applauds the inclusion of the Survivors of Human Trafficking Empowerment Act, which creates a direct channel for survivors to provide input on federal government anti-trafficking policy and strengthens the U.S. Government’s efforts to combat this crime. Human trafficking survivors are in the best position to speak to policies and programs that will have the greatest impact. This section creates a survivor-led council for government officials to hear directly from survivors with a diversity of perspectives on what works and what does not work.
“Survivors of human trafficking are more than just their stories—they have a deep understanding of the problem and what is needed to prevent and to end this heinous crime,” said Sperber.
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About ATEST
The Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST) is a U.S. based coalition that advocates for solutions to prevent and end all forms of human trafficking and modern slavery around the world. We advocate for lasting solutions to prevent labor and sex trafficking, hold perpetrators accountable, ensure justice for victims and empower survivors with tools for recovery.