Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), an international leader in the fight against human trafficking, today issued the following statement on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons:

            “Sadly, as we mark today’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, an estimated 28 million innocent people around the world are entrapped in modern-day slavery—one of the fastest growing criminal enterprises in the world.

            Over twenty years ago, I authored the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, which created a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach to combat sex and labor trafficking in the United States and around the world.

            And while more than 100 countries have now followed the United States in enacting their own laws to join this critical fight, it is clear that more must be done.

            The prevalence of this heinous crime shocks the conscience and serves as a grim reminder that our fight against trafficking must persist—and step up—both at home and abroad.

            My new legislation—the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act—enhances and strengthens the TVPA and was passed overwhelmingly by the House in February in a landslide vote of 414-11. Despite the broad bipartisan consensus, my bill is currently stalling in the Senate.

            The Senate must stop delaying this comprehensive legislation and immediately pass it to secure critical funding and programming to prevent child trafficking, protect survivors, and bring human traffickers to justice.”

###