Marking National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), an international leader in combating human trafficking, today issued the following statement, calling for a greater commitment from all levels of government to work with local communities—especially grassroots anti-trafficking organizations—to combat modern-day slavery:

            “On any given day, 27.6 million people across the world are enslaved in forced labor or sex trafficking.

            Tragically, the number of victims is increasing as human traffickers and their nefarious networks prey on vulnerable people from any demographic, thriving in places where there is a culture of denial or a lack of awareness.

            Education prevention programs—especially and including partnerships between schools, parents, local law enforcement and anti-trafficking organizations—are the victim’s best friend and the trafficker’s worst nightmare and go a long way toward preventing this heinous crime in the first place.

            The amazing work done by survivor-leaders and organizations across the country—including NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking, Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives, Covenant House NJ, the NJ Restaurant and Hospitality Association, 3Strands Global Foundation, ECPAT-USA, the American Hotel and Lodging Association, RAINN, ATEST, and the National Center on Sexual Exploitation—has protected so many vulnerable people from exploitation while providing tremendous support and resources to victims.

            While real progress has been made to combat the scourge of human trafficking since the enactment of my Trafficking Victims Protection Act in 2000, we cannot let our guard down.

            It will take each and every one of us to end this heinous crime—we must each be aware, educated, and act to prevent this crime, protect victims, and prosecute traffickers.”

            To report human trafficking in New Jersey, please call the NJ Human Trafficking Hotline at (855) 363-6548; or call the national hotline at (888) 373-7888 to report anywhere in the United States.

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