Monday, January 20, 2020

Federal Government Action on Trafficking

As President Trump proclaimed January 2020 "National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month" he stated, "With my resolute support, executive departments and agencies are steadfastly continuing the battle to abolish this form of modern slavery."  Whitehouse.gov listed these recent accomplishments: 
  1. The Anti-Trafficking Coordination Team (ACTeam) initiative, led by the Department of Justice, more than doubled convictions of human traffickers in ACTeam districts. 
  2. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security initiated more than 800 investigations related to human trafficking and the Department of State launched its Human Trafficking Expert Consultant Network, comprised of survivors and other subject matter experts, to inform its anti-trafficking policies and programs. 
  3. The Department of Health and Human Services continues to provide funding for the National Human Trafficking Hotline, and in Fiscal Year 2018 it funded victim assistance programs that provided benefits and services to more than 2,400 victims. 
  4. For the first time, the Department of Transportation committed $5.4 million in grants to the prevention of human trafficking and other crimes that may occur on buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation. 
  5. The Office of Management and Budget also published new anti-trafficking guidance for Government procurement officials to more effectively combat human trafficking in Federal contracting.