Recognizing National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), an international leader in combating human trafficking, today called for greater action from the international and US communities—at all levels of government—to partner with civil society to eliminate this heinous crime:

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

            Human traffickers and their nefarious networks are cunning and opportunistic—which is why it is important now more than ever to pass my comprehensive Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2023 to continue and boost our efforts to assist the most vulnerable among us. Delaying its passage is delaying justice.

            Education prevention programs that train the trainers so that the program has a sustainable multiplier effect and partner with schools, survivor-leaders, students, parents, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and anti-trafficking organizations go a long way toward preventing this scourge on humanity in the first place.

            Likewise, efforts to streamline protection services for survivors of human trafficking are critical for healing, empowerment, and to prevent re-trafficking via housing, mental healthcare, workforce development, and life-skills training.

            The amazing work done by survivor-leaders and organizations across the country—including the US Advisory Council on Human Trafficking, NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking, Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives, Covenant House NJ, the NJ Restaurant and Hospitality Association, 3Strands Global Foundation, PACT, The Foundation United, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, Thistle Farms, Tim Tebow Foundation, Hope for Justice, USCCB, IJM, and ATEST—have protected so many vulnerable people from exploitation while providing tremendous support and resources to victims.

            While real progress has been made in the US 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 suspected human trafficking, please call the Blue Campaign at 1-866-347-2423; to get help from the NJ Human Trafficking Hotline, call 855-363-6548; or call the national hotline at (888) 373-7888 to get help anywhere in the United States.

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