This week the impact of human trafficking will be front and center for the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which I’m the Chairman. I’ll be chairing a hearing on protecting the victims of human trafficking and the committee will also likely consider legislation to curb human trafficking.
The hearing Tuesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee will bring attention to the suffering endured by trafficking victims across the United States and help us identify policy options that will enable trafficking survivors to heal and protect others from becoming victims of this terrible crime. The committee will hear testimony from survivors, victim advocates, and investigators about two human trafficking measures currently before the Committee: the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act and the Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act. One of our witnesses will be Iowan Michael Ferjak who is the director of the Human Trafficking and Enforcement Prosecution Initiative at the Iowa Department of Justice.
On Thursday, the Judiciary Committee agenda will likely consider both the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act and the Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act, which are aimed at cracking down on perpetrators of sex trafficking.
In addition to the committee work this week, I’ve also introduced legislation to deter human trafficking in the United States. My bill would clarify that federal grant resources can be used to meet the housing needs of trafficking victims and offer training on the effects of sex trafficking to those who serve runaway, homeless and at-risk youth; update the federal statute that authorizes the cyber tip line of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, to ensure that child trafficking is specifically mentioned as a form of Internet-related child exploitation; and require the Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking to identify best practices to prevent human trafficking. I plan on offering my bill as an amendment to the legislation that will be considered by the committee this Thursday. My bill is complementary to the other bills in addressing pieces they don’t include.
Human trafficking is a serious, yet often overlooked crisis in our nation that inflicts lasting scars on the victims. Congress can make a difference in helping victims of these horrible crimes.