Statement from TWG Principal Bill Woolf on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
Human trafficking is a scourge upon humanity, depriving people of their most basic rights and freedoms while stripping them of their self-dignity and worth. This crime has long lasting and irreparable consequences for the victims, their families, and communities.
Today, in the United States, we recognize January 11 as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. A day set aside for us to remember all of those who remain captive in situations of exploitation and servitude and for the survivors brave enough to share their stories and advocate for change.
Too many victims remain and there is much work left to be done to provide them with safety, security, and access to quality restorative care; all while ensuring offenders can be held accountable. The TWG Team is working diligently alongside incredible organizations and stakeholders dedicated to bringing about an end to this horrible injustice. We are enhancing the fight to protect those in communities all across the United States and the world by elevating programs of prevention, protection, and prosecution.
We have worked alongside our partners advocating for the recently reauthorized Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) in view of the fact that it reapproves and enhances vital programs that address Human Trafficking. TWG is thankful for the collective leadership and dedication of Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), former Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA), as well as Senators Grassley (R-IA) and Feinstein (D-CA) to end human trafficking. Improving U.S. efforts to combat trafficking in all of its forms relies entirely upon ensuring prevention tools, educational trainings, and agency grants that reflect the needs for prevention, protection, and prosecution to combat human trafficking domestically and abroad.
The entire TWG Team is committed to seeing an end to modern day slavery and ensuring all people are able to achieve success in life without the threat of being trafficked or exploited.