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:

  1. Hope for Justice
  2. International Justice Mission
  3. Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives
  4. National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE)
  5. Rights4Girls
  6. Polaris
  7. 3Strands Global Foundation
  8. Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST)
  9. Shared Hope International
  10. ECPAT-USA
  11. Covenant House
  12. McCain Institute
  13. RAINN
  14. World Without Exploitation
  15. The Foundation United
  16. Freedom Collaborative
  17. Operation Underground Railroad
  18. A21
  19. Free the Slaves
  20. Parliamentary Task Force on Human Trafficking
  21. The Joseph Project
  22. Thistle Farms
  23. Restore NYC
  24. Street Grace
  25. Stepping Stones Network
  26. Alliance for Freedom, Restoration and Justice (AFRJ)
  27. Freedom Business Alliance
  28. National Network for Youth
  29. National Children’s Alliance
  30. Global Strategic Operatives
  31. ANEW Life International
  32. Philomena Project
  33. Freedom Network USA
  34. The Jensen Project
  35. Love Never Fails
  36. Fight for Us
  37. The Houston 20
  38. No Trafficking Zone
  39. Lynn’s Warriors
  40. Realized Potential
  41. Foundation Ra
  42. Protect America’s Daughters
  43. Beloved Haven
  44. Global Collaborative for the Protection and Healing of Child Dignity
  45. Marsh Law Firm PLLC
  46. Ascend Consulting
  47. General Federation of Women’s Clubs
  48. Uncaged
  49. Hope Found of Northeast Arkansas
  50. Into the Light
  51. Paving the Way Foundation
  52. Arrow Child & Family Ministries
  53. Prevention Works Joint Task Force and Coalition
  54. Guided Purposes, LLC
  55. OWNA
  56. Project STAND
  57. Southwest Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking
  58. Nurses United Against Human Trafficking
  59. Reflective Spaces Ministry, Corp
  60. A&K Ranch Ministries, LLC
  61. Paradigm Shift Training and Consulting
  62. Metanoia Manor
  63. The Genesis Project
  64. Community Campaign Against Human Trafficking – West Florida
  65. West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services
  66. National District Attorneys Association
  67. Jasmine Grace Outreach
  68. The Avery Center
  69. Free for Life International
  70. Naomi’s House
  71. C-FAM
  72. Freedom from Exploitation
  73. Survivor Leader Network of San Diego
  74. Compass 31
  75. The Family Crisis Center
  76. San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
  77. Justice Resource Institute

Individuals:

  1. Ambassador John Cotton Richmond (Ret.)
  2. Tanya Gould – Anti-Trafficking Director for the Commonwealth of Virginia
  3. Jennisue Jessen – Member of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking
  4. Ekaterina Kostioukhina, M.D. – Survivor Leader, Member of Parliamentary Task Force on Human Trafficking
  5. Barbara Amaya – Survivor Leader, Author of “Nobody’s Girl”
  6. Jeanette Westbrook – Survivor Leader, Human Trafficking Committee
  7. Victoria Galy – Survivor Leader
  8. 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/

downloadable .pdf

Press Contact: ATEST Director Terry FitzPatrick | 571-282-9913 | [email protected]