Human trafficking is one of the greatest human rights abuses today.  We have a moral obligation to fight it however we can.

 On January 10th, the President signed a law to fight this horrible abuse.

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act, which passed the House of Representatives unanimously, provides $360 million and includes the following provisions to fight against the practice of human trafficking:

• provides grants to establish and expand assistance programs for victims of sex trafficking
• authorizes a pilot program to provide shelter, counseling, and assistance to children who are victims of sex trafficking in the United States
• helps state and local law enforcement agencies initiate programs to investigate and prosecute sex trafficking cases, educate those charged with purchasing or attempting to purchase commercial sex acts, and train law enforcement personnel
• requires a biennial statistical review to provide a more accurate picture of the problem
• requires an annual report and conference on best practices of reducing demand for unlawful commercial sex acts

This legislation is a positive step toward slowing human trafficking.  Congress will continue to monitor this issue and the implementation of the new law.