U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), author of the first Trafficking Victims Protection Law and the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 (H.R. 972), joined Mira Sorvino and other members of the cast of “Human Trafficking” at their Washington, DC screening last night at the Ronald Reagan Building. The miniseries, which will premiere on October 24 and 25, brings to light the issue of human trafficking – the sale of human beings into modern day slavery. Lifetime adopted the project as part of its Emmy Award winning campaign entitled “Stop Violence Against Women.” 

    “In the mid-1990’s we had to fight hard to get people to acknowledge the human trafficking issue, so I am thrilled to see that others are becoming aware of and working to mitigate this horrible violence against women,” said Smith, who was the author of the first law against human trafficking – The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. “Lifetime television has done a remarkable job in depicting the horrors of this modern day slavery.”

    Smith is the author of the new Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 (H.R. 972) which strengthens the nation’s current trafficking law (also authored by Smith) and authorizes new funds for investigation and prosecution of domestic trafficking within the United States. The bill – which has passed through committee and will be brought to the floor of the House of Representatives for passage – ensures that the United States will continue to lead the global battle against modern-day human slavery. According to estimates by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the bill will provide $354 million to combat trafficking.

    “We have made significant progress over the past few years to combat human trafficking, through stronger laws, increased awareness, and better law enforcement,” said Smith, who was appointed Special Representative for Human Trafficking for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly in 2004. “These are predominantly women and children that have seen the absolute worst of life and are most in need of our compassion, support and most importantly, emancipation.” 

    Smith’s bill reauthorizes appropriations for anti-trafficking programs in the United States and abroad and offers solutions to specific scenarios where additional initiatives are needed to combat trafficking problems including occurrences of sexual exploitation by UN peacekeepers. Early this year – as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations – Smith held hearings about the 150 allegations of gross sexual misconduct and exploitation of refugees by UN peacekeepers and civilian personnel assigned to the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In recent years, the UN has struggled to deal with similar allegations in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

    “Actions must speak louder than words, and the UN must stop delaying and adopt a binding uniform code of conduct for all peacekeeping personnel,” said Smith, who also noted that the UN needs to put in place a comprehensive plan for victim assistance. 

    New funds are authorized to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and grants to state and local law enforcement for the domestic and international investigation and prosecution of trafficking. Smith’s bill enables prosecution in the United States of trafficking offenses committed by federal government employees, and amends the United States Code to apply money laundering, racketeering and civil criminal forfeiture statutes against traffickers. 

    “With a crime as abhorrent as human trafficking, it is essential that the United States continue to take the lead in offering aid to the victims and ensuring more aggressive prosecution of the traffickers – especially within our own borders,” said Smith. 

    Smith’s bill also addressed the American and foreign victims of human trafficking and includes provisions to help transition them to a better life. It authorizes a grants program for Non-governmental Organization victim service providers, establishes programs for residential rehabilitation facilities and facilitates access to information about federally funded services for victims. 

    “The victims of this terrible crime cannot be forgotten,” said Smith, who has continually fought on behalf of victims and human rights causes since being elected to Congress. “The 2005 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act strengthens and expands our efforts and allows law enforcement to continue to emancipate the women and children who are forced and coerced into slavery, and should be passed as quickly as possible.”