| From the USCCB:
Take Action!
Tell your Senators to protect victims of trafficking!
What's the issue? Trafficking of people is a modern day scourge that afflicts millions of people, particularly women and children, around the world resulting in extreme forms of sexual exploitation and forced labor. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) established the United States' efforts and leadership to combat the multi-billion dollar industry. Since then, the U.S. government has worked to prevent trafficking in persons; prosecute those who profit from it; and protect victims. Catholic Relief Services partners with U.S. government agencies and others to prevent trafficking and protect victims in more than 35 countries around the world.
The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act expires on September 30, 2011 and Congress must act to reauthorize it. If the bill does not pass, U.S. pressure on countries across the globe to combat modern-day slavery will suffer. In this precarious economic environment, more vulnerable and marginalized people may fall victim to those who would exploit them.
What do you want me to do? Contact your Senators and ask them to support S. 1301, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act and express strong support for the following:
- The bill's increased authorization of funding for trafficking victim services and strong emphasis on partnerships with organizations like Catholic Relief Services to combat trafficking in persons.
- Authorization of funding for the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, tasked with assisting governments in responding to urgent needs.
- Establishment of child protection compacts that would help specific countries to develop and implement comprehensive anti-trafficking plans to protect children. and urge them to preserve life-saving, poverty-focused international assistance in the upcoming deficit reduction negotiations and the FY 2012 appropriations process.
Take Action Now!
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