New steps are being taken to combat human trafficking by introducing a bill named after abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
On September 3rd, descendants of Douglass and Congress members announced the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2021. The act will contribute $1.6 billion over five years to aid in the fight against human trafficking. This includes putting measures in place to prevent the online grooming of children and establishing a Survivor Employment and Education program. It will also be expanding upon programs established under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, the first comprehensive federal statute to address the issue. The bill was presented by Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey, who pushed for the 2000 bill to pass, and Rep. Karen Bass of California.
At least 17 anti-trafficking organizations and alliances have endorsed the bill thus far, including The Coalition Against Women’s Trafficking, ECPAT-USA, and the Foundation United.
Ken Morris, who is the great-great-great-grandson of Douglass and the great-great-grandson of Booker T. Washington, worked closely with lawmakers on the bill.
“I didn’t inherit an understanding of contemporary forms of slavery. That’s why our knowledge of these crimes and the institutional support to stop them must continue to expand. This bill will do that,” he stated while in attendance at the press conference.
Since the Trafficking Victims Protection Act expires this year, it must be reauthorized, which will be done by enacting this latest measure.
