U.S. House of Representatives renews landmark anti-trafficking law

Washington, DC (February 28, 2013) — At a time when Congress appears to be more partisan than ever before, members from both sides of the political aisle in the U.S. House of Representatives came together today to pass the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. This comes just weeks after the U.S. Senate passed the same legislation. World Vision applauds Congress for putting politics aside and passing this crucial bipartisan bill at a time of great political rancor.

This law is the centerpiece of all U.S. laws, policies, and programs combatting human trafficking. Originally passed in 2000, this legislation and the laws and programs it created have made the U.S. a global leader in the fight against modern-day slavery.

“Both houses of Congress showed their constituents, victims, and survivors of trafficking, and all those fighting on the front lines, that this is an issue that is a priority to our country,” said Jesse Eaves, Senior Policy Advisor for Child Protection at World Vision. “At a time when it seems impossible to move important legislation in Washington, D.C., the vote in the House not only gives hope to millions of exploited men, women, and children around the world, but also to the thousands of advocates around the country who’ve worked tirelessly to push this legislation through.”

The renewed legislation makes some important gains for combatting human trafficking around the world and here at home. Some of the new aspects of the bill include:

• Allowing survivors of trafficking in the U.S. better access to services
• Strengthening law enforcement efforts to crack down on human traffickers here in the U.S. and around the world
• Allowing the U.S. to form strategic partnerships with governments trying to crackdown on trafficking in their own country

“The bill now moves to President Obama’s desk, and after a long road, the United States will remain a global leader combatting modern day slavery,” said Eaves. “The war on human trafficking is far from over, but today marks a huge victory in the battle.”

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About World Vision
World Vision is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. For more information on their efforts, visit WorldVision.org/press or follow them on Twitter at @WorldVisionNews