Take Immediate Action to End Trafficking in Washington DC

by Amanda Kloer · 2009-06-17 08:23:00 UTC
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There is an opportunity to take immediate action to end human trafficking in our nation's capital, a city ranked in the top 10 for human traffickers in the U.S.  On Friday, June 19 at 12:00 PM, the DC Council Committee on Public Safety and Judiciary will hold a public hearing on a new comprehensive anti-human-trafficking bill. The proposed legislation would accomplish the following:

  • Make human trafficking a criminal act, covering both labor and sex trafficking;

  • Provide crucial assistance to victims by giving victims access to (i) a victim advocate to develop a safety plan and (ii) Crime Victims' Compensation;

  • Allow civil cases to be brought by a victim against his/her trafficker;

  • Mandate that the District publish statistical data on trafficking to provide vital information to the public and the authorities; and

  • Criminalize the possession of child pornography.

Here's how you can get involved (you don't have to be a DC resident):

  • Attend the public hearing in person (Wilson Building, Hearing Room 412, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC)

  • Provide written testimony directly to the DC Council about why the bill is needed (Deadline Friday), by emailing your statement to Ms. Lisa Abrams at labrams@dccouncil.us.

  • Provide oral testimony at the hearing. You don't have to be an expert or give a big speech.  The max time for each testimony is 3 minutes.  All you need to do is stand up and state your support (Deadline to request to provide oral testimony today).

For more information, contact Ray Lian at raylian@stopmodernslavery.org

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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