National Organization for Women-NYS Urges US Senate to Pass

William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (HR3887)

ALBANY, NY (12/10/2007)(readMedia)-- Press Statement by Marcia A. Pappas, President NOW New York State

On behalf of NOW York State’s 40,000 supporters, I am proud to stand on the steps of City Hall, in NYC today with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, to urge the US Senate to pass a desperately needed anti trafficking law for victims in the United States.

On Monday, December 3rd, the US House of Representatives passed the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3887), which authorizes critical funding to combat trafficking and help victims. The National Organization for Women wants to make sure that the US Senate passes an equally strong bill.

Human trafficking is a $10 billion worldwide industry and one of the most heinous crimes imaginable. According to some reports, approximately 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders for exploiting vulnerable women, men, and children for use in conditions of sexual and labor servitude. Traffickers use fraud, deception, coercion, threats and force to transport, harbor or obtain a person to perform commercial sex or labor acts against their will.

New York State is a hub for human trafficking. NOW New York State and its local chapters undertook a campaign, lobbying for crucial legislation. Thankfully, this year Governor Spitzer signed into law the first comprehensive anti human trafficking law. The bill remained stalled in the Codes Committee for months and months. While a bill is delayed, more and more victims are harmed by this heinous crime. It is crucial that we not allow this to happen at the Federal level. We must move swiftly without deliberation. Victims are waiting and it has been a long time coming.

The exploitation of young and poor women continues to plague our world. For many, it is tempting to look the other way while vulnerable people of the world are mistreated, abused and neglected. Sadly, the people who are greatly affected have no voice, and are looked at as disposable, insignificant, throwaway commodities. The United States has a unique opportunity to be a leader on this issue by passing legislation that would bring to an end this practice; to end violence against women and girls.