Efforts to Combat Child Trafficking Gain Bipartisan Support
A new bill aimed at enhancing federal protections for vulnerable children and increasing support for victims of trafficking has been introduced in Congress. The bill, if passed, would set a timeline for the implementation of recommendations from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on anti-trafficking measures.
Cracking Down on Child Trafficking
The bipartisan bill, introduced by Senator Jon Ossoff and Senator Chuck Grassley, seeks to address the ongoing crisis of child trafficking in Georgia and across the nation. Georgia, in particular, has been identified as a hotspot due to factors such as its major international airport, extensive highway access, and numerous large sporting events.
Coordinated Efforts and Reporting
The bill would require the Office for Victims of Crime to coordinate with the Office on Trafficking in Persons of the Administration for Children and Families within 180 days of its passage. Additionally, a detailed report outlining the steps taken in the implementation process must be submitted to the Senate and House Committees on the Judiciary within 60 days of completion.
“Child trafficking in Georgia and nationwide is a crisis. That’s why I’m introducing this bipartisan bill to strengthen federal protections for vulnerable children and increase support for victims of trafficking,” said Senator Ossoff in a statement.
“The federal government can and must do more to prevent children from falling prey to the evils of human trafficking. By strengthening collaboration between federal agencies, our bill aims to more effectively prevent future instances of trafficking, prosecute criminals, and safeguard vulnerable children,” added Senator Grassley.
Alarming Statistics
The urgency for action is highlighted by alarming statistics. According to a report to Congress last year, federal prosecutions of child-only sex trafficking cases rose by 17% from 2019 to 2020. In 2020, children constituted 69% of victims in all new sex trafficking cases. Of the federal sex trafficking cases prosecuted that year, over half of the victims were children, aged 4 to 17, with an average age of 15. Shockingly, 89% of child victims in active sex trafficking cases were between 14 and 17 years old.
The United Nations Children’s Fund has classified the United States as both a “source and transit country” for child trafficking, with all 50 states serving as major destination points. This underscores the critical need for legislative action to combat this heinous crime.
Increasing Efforts to Combat Trafficking
Lawmakers have been intensifying efforts to crack down on trafficking in recent years. In December, Senator Ossoff’s bipartisan Report Act, aimed at protecting children from online sexual abuse, cleared the Senate. Furthermore, in September, Senator Ossoff and Senator Marsha Blackburn sent an inquiry to Attorney General Merrick Garland regarding the FBI’s capacity to address crimes related to child sexual abuse and exploitation.
The introduction of this new bill represents another step forward in the fight against child trafficking. With bipartisan support and a focus on collaboration between federal agencies, the bill aims to prevent future instances of trafficking, bring criminals to justice, and provide much-needed support for the victims.