Armed Services Committee/ NDAA Office of Human Trafficking FY 2017
Committee on Armed Services
United States Senate
Armed Services Committee
House of Representatives
Authorize a program to prevent child labor, forced labor, human trafficking, and modern slavery in the FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by establishing an Office of Human Trafficking within the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD).
Need
The Defense Department has a zero tolerance policy for trafficking in persons. As you know, DOD has released its Strategic Plan for Combating Trafficking in Persons (CTIP). The implementation of the CTIP Strategic Plan includes 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 also includes 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.
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. ATEST commends DOD’s leadership in fighting human trafficking, but challenges the Department to implement this policy on a Department-wide basis through a dedicated office for this purpose.
Solution
We are requesting that the FY 2017 NDAA authorize a program to prevent child labor, forced labor, human trafficking, and modern slavery in the FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by establishing an Office of Human Trafficking within the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). The office would direct and support the implementation of DOD’s Strategic Plan for Combating Trafficking in Persons (CTIP).
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 as externally, and coordinate all functions within the Department for CTIP activities.
Proposed Authorizing Language
Office of the Secretary of Defense / Office of Human Trafficking
We are requesting that the FY17 NDAA establish an Office of Human Trafficking located in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) with an authorized funding level of $2,000,000 for FY17. The authorized funding will allow OSD to hire staff to implement, educate, and train DOD staff on the Department’s CTIP policy.