10 years of protecting victims under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act-

I began working on the issue of human trafficking in 2003. At that time little was understood about this crime and all its complex schemes. Now in the tenth year since I have worked on this issue and 13 years after the first laws to protect victims were passed these has been much learned.

First, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act is a solid and well written law. However it is often not used because many do not clearly understand it or have not been trained on it. In the 10 years I have used it to help victims, each time when the law is used correctly, it has helped the victims and clearly identified the traffickers. The problem is that traffickers use various schemes to operate openly, in plain sight, and many who do not work on trafficking daily may miss opportunities. However I am seeing more and more cases that are netting significant punishments in criminal courts and civil courts. This is hopeful, however, that should be thousands of cases, not just the handfuls we are seeing now. 

All the cases are important to progress and will pave the way for more suits in the future. We must bring attention to the successes as they happen and keep sharing them with others. I am hopeful that more prosecutors and civil trial attorneys will use these laws and demonstrate how strong the laws are to protect victims and punish traffickers. It is my hope that soon anyone convicted of pimping, or charges related to exploited labor, would also be convicted of sex trafficking and sentenced accordingly.

When this law is used appropriately and to its fullest extent the community becomes safer for victims and more unwelcoming for traffickers.

Actions EVERYONE can take to make this law used more often are:

• Share this blog- the TVPA is hyperlinked above- 
• Learn about cases in your area by visiting Global Incident Map . 
• Write opinion pieces for your local papers or trade organizations about 500-750 words is appropriate 
• Blog- please share cases that have been prosecuted and show successful outcomes so more people will expect the TPVA to be used 
• Make sure all around you know that ANY MINOR IN COMMERCIAL SEX (stripping, pornography or prostitution) is a victim of sex trafficking 
• Follow me on Facebook and LinkedIN@Dottie Laster, on Twitter @TRAFFCKED- we share stories and current events here- please post and share to your contacts 
• Host a public awareness event, workshop or training by contacting Delilah@imaginepubicity.com or 843-808-0859
• Individual consultations may be referred to Laster Global Consulting