Vital Voices Global Partnership

Stop Human Trafficking

You Can End Human Trafficking

Please urge your Congressmen to support Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act 2007

As the William J. Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2007 (TVPRA 2007, H.R. 3887) comes to fruition in the U.S. Congress this session, Vital Voices Global Partnership needs you to write letters to your Representatives urging them to support this important legislation.

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act, first passed in 2000 must be reauthorized every two years by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Through reauthorizations in 2003 and 2005, Vital Voices has witnessed substantial improvements to the original legislation in order to prevent human trafficking, protect the victims, and prosecute the traffickers. This year, we look forward to seeing full support for TVPRA 2007 in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The TVPRA 2007 has advanced thanks to the continued support of citizens and advocates. However, Vital Voices believes that we have yet to garner sufficient support in Congress this year.

The TVPRA 2007 includes exciting new amendments providing the U.S. government better tools to confront human trafficking as outlined below:

It will ensure that people coming to work for diplomats or employees of international organizations are fully aware of their rights and that their rights are protected. In essence, this proposed amendment is a preventative step to ensure that diplomats and employees of international organizations with immunity will abide by labor laws and refrain from exploiting workers while in the United States.

The laws have enabled the U.S. government to leverage punitive measures on countries not meeting minimum standards in their anti-human trafficking efforts. In 2003, the law established a Watch List classification as a warning that possible sanctions could be imposed on countries unless their governments more actively address the issue of human trafficking. The proposed amendment in TVPRA 2007 will limit the amount of time a country can stay in the Watch List to a maximum of two years. It aims to punish those that do not demonstrate substantial improvements.

The newly proposed language will assure citizens of the U.S. who are trafficked domestically within the country to receive benefits and proper care.

Vital Voices along with other groups acting to end human trafficking hope that through this year’s reauthorization, TVPA will reinforce better protection, prevention, and prosecution efforts.

Your support is MUCH NEEDED. It is not too late to take action!

Tell your members of Congress that combating human trafficking in the U.S. and abroad is a critical issue. Please urge them to support the TVPRA 2007 by signing onto the letter below.

*Vital Voices Global Partnership is part of The Action Group to End Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery.

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May 21, 2013

Subject:
Stop Human Trafficking - Support Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act 2007

Dear Representative/Senator:

Each year it is estimated that nearly one million people, mostly women and girls, are trafficked and sold into modern slavery across international borders. The U.S. government estimates that 14,500 to 17,500 people are trafficked into our country each year. These staggering numbers do not include the multitude of victims, who are trafficked domestically within the United States.  

Guided by the principle of individual freedom and liberty, the United States of America must vigorously combat human trafficking, often referred to as modern-day slavery. Human trafficking is not only an egregious violation of human rights, but also a transnational organized crime. This is one of the most important issues facing our country today. Therefore, I urge you to support H.R. 3887, the William J. Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) 2007.

The TVPRA 2007 will continue the important programs used to fight human trafficking established by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000 and its Reauthorization Acts of 2003 and 2005.  The TVPRA 2007 includes exciting new amendments providing the U.S. government better tools to confront human trafficking as outlined below:

1. It will ensure that people coming to work for diplomats or employees of international organizations are fully aware of their rights and that their rights are protected. In essence, this proposed amendment is a preventative step to ensure that diplomats and employees of international organizations with immunity will abide by labor laws and refrain from exploiting workers while in the United States.

2. The laws have enabled the U.S. government to leverage punitive measures on countries not meeting minimum standards in their anti-human trafficking efforts. In 2003, the law established a Watch List classification as a warning that possible sanctions could be imposed on countries unless their governments more actively address the issue of human trafficking. The proposed amendment in TVPRA 2007 will limit the amount of time a country can stay in the Watch List to a maximum of two years. It aims to punish those that do not demonstrate substantial improvements.

3. The newly proposed language will assure citizens of the U.S. who are trafficked domestically within the country to receive benefits and proper care.  

It is important that the United States government continues to demonstrate our nation’s commitment and leadership in combating human trafficking in the U.S. and abroad, and I thank you for making the passage of this legislation a priority.  

Sincerely,

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