ATEST Applauds Enactment of Survivors of Human Trafficking Empowerment Act
For Release: June 1, 2015
ATEST is grateful to the champions of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, S. 178, for including the Survivors of Human Trafficking Empowerment Act, as well as provisions improving access to restitution and requiring rigorous reporting and data collection. We believe the enactment of the Survivors of Human Trafficking Empowerment Act will strengthen U.S. leadership to combat this horrible crime. “Human trafficking survivors are in the best position to speak to policies that have the greatest impact and will effect real change,” said Melysa Sperber, Director of the Alliance to End Slavery & Trafficking (ATEST).
ATEST also urges the House of Representatives and the Senate to take up the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act, which will reauthorize a venerable piece of legislation that is crucial to ending youth homelessness.
“Passing RHYTPA is essential to prevent traffickers from preying on the most vulnerable youth in our communities,” 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. ATEST member organizations include: Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST), Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), ECPAT-USA, Free the Slaves, Futures Without Violence (FUTURES), International Justice Mission, National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), National Network for Youth (NN4Y), Polaris, Safe Horizon, Solidarity Center, Verité, Vital Voices Global Partnership, and World Vision. ATEST is a project of Humanity United.