This groundbreaking legislation is the cornerstone of the United States Government's response to human trafficking and modern-day slavery. During the past seven years since the bill was signed into law, nongovernmental service providers and governmental policymakers have learned important lessons about how we can improve and strengthen the TVPA. Taking a victim-centered approach, the Action Group recommends amending the TVPA to ensure: identification of victims within the US; provision of services to victims; strengthening of the annual trafficking in persons (TIP) report; and prosecution of traffickers. To learn more about the Action Group's recommendations, please click here.
The House of Representatives passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2007 (HR 3887) with 19 of the 21 Action Group recommendations. The Senate bill, S 3061, has been introduced but not yet passed.
Fully funding programs authorized by the TVPRA for FY2009
Creating programs to identify, protect and rehabilitate trafficking victims in the United States and around the globe is an important first step. But, the programs created and reauthorized in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) must be fully funded in order to have any impact. U.S. government agencies including the State Department, Health and Human Services, Department of Labor and Department of Justice have not been adequately funded to carry out the mandates of the TVPA.
The State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking (G-TIP) is the central office tasked to coordinate the U.S. efforts to combat human trafficking and modern day slavery. Though the budget for this office has increased slightly since its formation, the Action Group recommends appropriating funds to the full level authorized in H.R. 3887. Full funding will send a strong political message in support of the US government’s efforts to end human trafficking and abolish modern-day slavery.
Despite the US Government’s desire to implement a “victim-centered” approach to combat trafficking in the United States, only $9.8 million has been appropriated each year under the Department of Health and Human Services to help survivors. Further, none of the $15 million authorized for victims that are U.S. citizen or legal permanent residents has ever been appropriated.
Additionally, no money has been appropriated to the Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor and Human Trafficking (within ILAB) to carry out the mandates under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) of 2005, despite an authorization of $10 million.
The Action Group supports funding for TVPA programs that either meets or surpasses the level authorized in House-passed TVPA reauthorization (H.R.3887). For more information on the specific recommended appropriation levels for each agency, click the agency link.
- Department of Labor and Department of Health and Human Services