By Jesse Eaves, Sr. Policy Advisor for Child Protection

 

We applaud the President’s bold vision and commitment to ending human trafficking.

From increased support for survivors to partnerships with the private sector to open up supply chains to ending the Federal Government’s unintentional but influential role in this affront to human dignity – President Obama has laid out a challenge that we will take up and hold him accountable to.  These initiatives have the potential to get at the root of some of the most heinous and deceptive practices in the labor market for government contractors and subcontractors.   Further, it should ensure that Federal employees know they have a direct role to play in ending modern day slavery.

 

The question is how will the rubber meet the road?  If the President is reelected, how will his Administration ensure he lives up to the bold vision he has laid out here?  We look forward to working with his Administration to help answer these questions and ensure his bold vision is executed.

The President also said ““Our fight against human trafficking is one of the great human rights causes of our time, and the United States will continue to lead it…”

 

This leadership role can only continue if Congress puts the President’s words into action and passes the centerpiece of all human trafficking laws – the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.  This is not a left or right issue. It’s a right or wrong issue, and we call on both houses of Congress to pass a bipartisan Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act as soon as possible.

 

The President also recognized the role played by faith-based groups in ending slavery.  World Vision and its supporters will continue to heed our Biblical call to seek justice and we are excited to see the United States government as a central partner in that journey.

 

Watch the speech below and then respond by advocating these senators who have still not co-sponsored the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. 

 

 

Respond by advocating for the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act.