Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery. Victims of human trafficking are subjected to force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor. Victims are young children, teenagers, men and women. According to the U.S. Department of State, approximately 600,000 to 800,000 victims annually are trafficked across international borders worldwide; between 14,500 and 17,500 of those victims are trafficked into the United States.

Rep. Eshoo voted to reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act on February 28, 2013. This legislation reauthorizes the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2003, which Rep. Eshoo cosponsored, and which was signed into law on December 19, 2003.

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act revitalizes important programs that combat human trafficking, especially the sex trade, through prevention, prosecution and enforcement against traffickers, and through protection and assistance to victims of trafficking.