How Does Human Trafficking Affect Our Community

Dear Director Carter, I would like to propose an initiative to address the issue of human trafficking effecting our community. As members of our Justice and Peace Studies Organization I strongly believe that this issue is one that must be addressed, and on the forefront of our minds. I am aware that the United States government is committed to prosecuting traffickers and assisting persons who have been identified as victims of trafficking, but sir, this is merely a reactive measures, not a proactive one. In November 2003, Congress had reauthorized the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, which has helped prosecute traffickers (State Department). Since then no new measures, or bills have been introduced which is rather worrisome. Those effected affected by human trafficking are those most vulnerable to our society, primarily women and children. Human trafficking also has a three step process according to the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime: the act, the means, and the purpose. The act consists of recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons. The means is the threat or use of

There is too much overlap between all levels of law enforcement for one specialization not to occur. The United States needs a department of trafficked persons, or lost persons, not just separate offices spread out across the board. Also by formulating a department it would be far easier to attack human trafficking at the core, versus cleaning up the symptoms that it has. Instead of just responding to aftermath of the means and purpose, such as sex trade or drugs, the department can address the issues trafficking at the root. Every year approximately 18,000 people are trafficked every year (Human Trafficking Org). That number is far too large for us to ignore, especially when a successful bust case saves only .0006% of