Human Trafficking Caucus Hosts Discussion Featuring UN Goodwill Ambassador Julia Ormond

Press Release

Human Trafficking Caucus Hosts Discussion Featuring UN Goodwill Ambassador Julia Ormond

Congressional Caucus on Human Trafficking Co-Chairs Representative Thelma Drake (R-VA), Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), Representative Chris Smith (R-N.J.), Representative Deborah Pryce (R-OH), and Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA) today were proud to host a panel discussion entitled: Assessing the Commitment to Combating Human Trafficking: A Legal and Humanitarian Perspective. This was the Caucus' first event since being founded in the 110th Congress. Julia Ormond, well-known British actress and UN Goodwill Ambassador Against Slavery, served as the special guest speaker for the event.

In addition, the event featured Kevin Bales, President of the non-profit organization Free the Slaves, and Holly Burkhalter, Vice President of International Justice Mission. Also participating was Ambassador Mark Lagon from the U.S. Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and Grace Chung Becker from the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division.

The Caucus on Human Trafficking will seek to continue holding informative events that bring much needed attention to the horrific injustices resulting from human trafficking.

Member statements below:

U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake (R-VA), Caucus Co-Chair:

"During a Congressional Delegation visit designed to study cases of human trafficking in Eastern Europe, it became clear to me that Congress can do more to speak out against this moral injustice. By founding the Congressional Caucus on Human Trafficking, I believe we are making a strong statement that this is an issue that transcends partisanship. Our hope is that today's event, and similar events in the future, will help bring sunlight to this horrific crime."

U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), Caucus Co-Chair:

"Human beings are bought, sold, and exploited every day around the world. This is modern-day slavery on the greatest scale, yet it continues to slip under the radar screens of news media, lawmakers, and the public alike. I'm thrilled this Caucus is able to raise awareness of this critical issue through informative and interesting events like this. With continued attention we can finally make human trafficking a thing of the past."

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), Caucus Co-Chair:

"We created this caucus and convened today's discussion as part of an ongoing effort to shine a light on the horrific crime of human trafficking. Every year, between 600,000 to 800,000 people—mostly young women and children—are forcefully and fraudulently transported across national borders, stripped of their dignity and forced into bondage and sexual servitude. In recent years, we have made progress in combating this appalling human rights abuse through the tools created in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act—the nation's first anti-trafficking law—but much work remains. The Human Trafficking Caucus is committed to building on the successes of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, continuing to raise awareness of this heinous crime and, in turn, saving innocent victims from further exploitation.

"Additionally, I would like to praise the commitment and efforts of Julia Ormond, who has a long history of advocating for an end to human trafficking. Ms. Ormond has provided insightful testimony in hearings I have chaired in the past and we are extremely grateful for her leadership on this issue."

U.S. Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-OH), Caucus Co-Chair:

"The trafficking of human beings is one of the greatest human rights abuses of the 21st century, and our nation has a moral obligation to fight this evil on our on soil and around the globe. A nation that stands for the freedom and dignity of every human being must do everything within its power to prevent the degradation and exploitation of the innocent. This needs to be a national priority, because it is a global outrage."

U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-FL), Caucus Member:

"Every person, regardless of nationality or origin, deserves to be treated as a human being and afforded their basic human rights. Unfortunately, certain elements of our society use people as commodities, selling them for labor or for sexual exploitation. Every year, 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders. We can make a difference by leading the fight against human trafficking and by working with foreign governments to provide them with the resources they need to be successful in the fight against human trafficking."

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