Rep. Kelly Supports Bipartisan Bills to End Human Trafficking
WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) issued the following statement today in support of a series of bipartisan legislation to combat human trafficking which were passed by the House of Representatives this afternoon with unanimous support.
“Today I was proud to stand with a united House of Representatives in support of these bipartisan bills to stop human trafficking and save the victims of this evil scourge. This is not a Republican or Democrat issue but a full-fledged American issue. This mission is an urgent moral priority for decent people of all nations, especially the United States—the greatest defender of liberty and human dignity the world has ever known. After all, this crime is not a faraway problem only plaguing other places but a growing cancer right here in America, including in Western Pennsylvania. Even as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month comes to an end, our fight will continue until 21st century slavery is stamped out forever.”
Today’s House-passed anti-trafficking bills:
Human Trafficking Prevention, Intervention, and Recovery Act (H.R. 350), sponsored by Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD), directs the existing Interagency Task Force established under the 2000 Trafficking Victims Protection Act to review federal and state activities to prevent children from becoming trafficking victims, survey academic research on the topic, and propose best practices. The bill also directs the Government Accountability Office to review federal and state efforts, including federal grants, to combat human trafficking, and clarifies that existing grants may be used to provide shelter services to trafficking victims.
Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act (H.R. 159), sponsored by Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN), encourages states to establish safe harbor laws so that trafficked minors can seek protective services and counseling as victims, without fear of facing jail and being targeted as part of the problem.
Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (H.R. 181), sponsored by Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX), boosts support and protection for domestic human trafficking victims. The bill also makes improvements to current law, such as increasing and streamlining law enforcement resources, enhancing victims’ services, and holding both sellers and buyers engaged in sex trafficking accountable.
Stop Advertising Victims of Exploitation Act (H.R. 285), sponsored by Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO), criminalizes those who knowingly advertise for the commercial exploitation of children and trafficking victims.
Trafficking Awareness Training for Health Care Act (H.R. 398), sponsored by Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC), develops evidence-based best practices for health care workers to identify and assist victims of human trafficking.
Human Trafficking Detection Act (H.R. 460), sponsored by Rep. Mark Walker (R-NC), directs the Homeland Security Secretary to train Department of Homeland Security personnel how to effectively deter, detect, disrupt, and prevent human trafficking during the course of their primary roles and responsibilities.
Strengthening Child Welfare Response to Trafficking Act (H.R. 469), sponsored by Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), improves practices within state child welfare systems to identify and document sex trafficking cases.
To improve the response to victims of child sex trafficking (H.R. 246), sponsored by Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH), updates the statute to use the term “child sex trafficking, including child prostitution” for cybertipline reporting to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
More information about human trafficking in Pennsylvania:
“Human Trafficking Hits Home” (Crime Victim Center of Erie County)
“Pa. report on trafficking makes pitch for reforms” (Lancaster Online)
Trafficking resources in Pennsylvania:
The Office of Protection From Abuse – Erie County Courthouse
Erie, PA
814-451-6324
https://www.eriecountygov.org/courts/family-court/protection-from-abuse.aspx
Crime Victim Center
Erie, PA
814-455-9414 or 1-800-352-7273
https://www.cvcerie.org/
Project to End Human Trafficking
Pittsburgh, PA
https://www.endhumantrafficking.org/
Freedom and Restoration for Everyone Enslaved (FREE)
Reading, PA
https://www.freefromht.org
York County Task Force on Human Trafficking
York, PA
717-845-2631
Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-422-3204
Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-262-8444
https://www.ywcayork.org/
Covenant House Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
215-951-5411
https://www.covenanthousepa.org
Dawn's Place
Philadelphia, PA
215-849-2396
https://www.ahomefordawn.org
Nationalities Service Center
Philadelphia, PA
215-893-8400
https://www.nscphila.org/
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