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Press Release: Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act

Freedom Network USA supports the CONGRESS vote to assist victims of Human Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery

December 12, 2008. New York City. The House and Senate unanimously passed the "William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2008" which reauthorizes the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. As a national coalition of service provider and advocacy organizations assisting survivors of this appalling crime, the Freedom Network USA congratulates Congress on passing this bill that among other provisions, increases transparency in the federal grant making process, expands protections of family members of adult victims of human trafficking, preserves the integrity of the definition of human trafficking, provides for worker protections and compels consulates to provide adequate information to foreign workers regarding rights, the law and resources for help.

Through our members, the Freedom Network has assisted approximately 2,000 individuals from five continents. More than half of these survivors have been subjected to a severe form of labor trafficking. The recent vote by Congress was a victory for all the men, women and children who have been exploited and enslaved. This legislation, if signed by President Bush, is a great step in our government's efforts to protect trafficked workers from all abusive employers, whether they be factory owners, field bosses, diplomats or brothel managers. Bill Bernstein, Freedom Network Co-Chair and Deputy Director of Mosaic Family Services in Dallas says, "The Freedom Network has worked tirelessly with survivors to assist them in reclaiming their rights and their dignity. We salute the Congress for working to make sure our country does its best to minimize and eventually, eradicate, the scourge of human trafficking."

The Freedom Network USA acknowledges the ongoing commitment and extraordinary work and leadership of Vice-President-elect Joe Biden, Representative John Conyers, Senator Dick Durbin, Senator Sam Brownback, Representative Jerald Nadler, Representative Howard Berman, Senator Patrick Leahy, the late Representative Tom Lantos and their congressional staff. We thank them on behalf of the Indian Nationals trafficked into labor servitude in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Vietnamese and Chinese men and women trafficked into American Samoa, the Indonesian women who suffered horrendous abuse as domestic workers in a private home in New York City, the Thai workers from the El Monte, California Ccse, the young girls brought from Honduras to work in bars in New Jersey and Fort Worh, the women from Eastern Europe who were forced to work as exotic dancers in clubs in the midwest and the agricultural workers in south Florida forced to work in the tomato fields. There are many, many more survivors who have been assisted by the Freedom Network USA. "This victory belongs to them as they have informed our work, helped us develop best practices using a human rights approach and provided us with the information that helps us advocate for better laws and better protections for those forced into servitude in this country," says Florrie Burke, Co-Chair of Freedom Network USA and long time NYC advocate for human rights.

A young adult survivor of trafficking says that if this law had been in place a few years ago, she would have been able to have her mother join her here and offer support during the long, stressful process of preparing to be a witness for the prosecution. At a time of great vulnerability that involved enormous personal risk, this young woman decided to testify against her traffickers. At the time, there was no provision for a family member to be with her throughout this process. The William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Reauthorization Act will provide for family members facing retaliation to join their relative and offer support.

A survivor of the Pickle Company ship welding case remarked after reading this bill, " None of the trouble would have happened to us if we had known our rights, the laws and where to go for help." "The recruiter lied to us, the factory owner took our papers, kept us prisoner under terrible conditions and his managers threatened us with guns, threats and calls to immigration officials." We are so happy that this bill might prevent further abuses of this type."

Joy Zarembka, The Executive Director of Break the Chain Campaign in Washington DC said, "The enhanced safeguards outlined in the TVPRA for domestic workers in homes of diplomats and foreign officials will not only provide them better protections and legal recourse but will further compel the State Department to monitor the implementation of the new law. We applaud these important and vital steps."

The members of the Freedom Network are especially gratified that Congress showed its commitment to protecting the rights of victims and recognizing the great strides service providers and federal law enforcement have made in partnership to combat trafficking and help its survivors. The William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 keeps to the spirit envisioned in the original TVPA by upholding the definition of human trafficking. With increased oversight, comprehensive reporting and coordinated services, we look forward to continuing the complex work of prevention, protection and prosecution.