Bost Backs Bills to Fight Human Trafficking

by George O’Connor – Communications Director for Congressman Mike Bost

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) joined a bipartisan coalition in Congress to pass a trio of bills cracking down on human trafficking and implementing a stronger detection system nationwide.

“It should anger each and every one of us that Illinois ranks in the top 10 states for reported cases of human trafficking,” said Bost. “When Boko Haram kidnapped 200 teenage girls in Nigeria in 2014, human trafficking became a hashtag and garnered attention from countries around the world. But we’re wrong to assume that this modern-day form of slavery is an isolated tragedy in some faraway nation. Reported cases of trafficking continue to rise in Illinois. Our work is far from over, but these bills are vitally important to help protect American families.”

• The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Act reauthorizes $130 million to fund the prevention of human trafficking, protect victims, and prosecute traffickers.
• The Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act ensures the Department of Labor can effectively train its employees to spot the illegal trade of people—and respond quickly and effectively when cases are detected.
• The Empowering Law Enforcement to Fight Sex Trafficking Demand Act expands eligibility for Department of Justice grants to allow law enforcement agencies to qualify for federal funding for the development and execution of programs that fight sex trafficking.

Background:

• There are over 20 million people enslaved around the world but few of them are ever identified as human trafficking victims.

• The International Labour Organization reports that three out of every 1,000 people are “trapped in jobs into which they were coerced or deceived.”
• Illinois ranks 9th in cases reported in 2016.
• In 2016, the National Human Trafficking Hotline has received 26,727 calls, and 7,572 human trafficking cases reported.
• This multi-billion-dollar illicit industry helps fund international criminal networks and even terrorist groups, threatening U.S. national security and international stability.