Action: Tell the House to Fund Crucial Services for Human Trafficking Survivors Today

by Amanda Kloer · 2009-10-06 11:00:00 UTC
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Today, we are at a crucial moment in the fight against human trafficking: the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies is about to decide whether or not to provide $15 million for services for survivors of human trafficking. Please, write to Committee Chairman Mollohan and Ranking Member Wolf to urge them to fund services for victims of human trafficking today!

The upwards of 17,500 people who are trafficked into the United States, plus the tens of thousands of Americans trafficked internally each year, are in desperate need of services like medical care, counseling, legal assistance, shelter, education, and employment in order to recover from horrific abuses and rebuild their lives. Without adequate funds those services in the U.S. will be underfunded and inaccessible for many survivors.  For many trafficking survivors, these services are the key to a new life after the horrible ordeal of slavery.

The Senate Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Subcommittee has already agreed to fund trafficking victims’ services at $15 million. Now, we are asking the House to support the highest possible funding level to provide trafficking survivors the resources they desperately need.  Specifically, we are asking the House conferees to commit to the following:

  • To provide the highest possible funding level for Department of Justice grants for programs to end human trafficking and slavery;

  • To provide a funding floor for foreign nationals in the Justice grants to ensure continuity of programs;

  • Retain the Senate report language requiring the Department of Justice to establish a point of contact in each U.S. Attorney Office to better coordinate human trafficking and slavery efforts in each jurisdiction; and additionally I

  • Thank you for the funding for Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit. Support the Senate report language for Justice's specialized Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.

Please, write to Reps. Mollohan and Wolf and urge them to support the highest possible funding level for Department of Justice grants for programs to end human trafficking and slavery. By doing so, you can help trafficking victims get the resources they need to build a better, freer life.

Photo credit: Jenna Carver

Amanda Kloer is a Change.org Editor and has been a full-time abolitionist in several capacities for seven years. Follow her on Twitter @endhumantraffic
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