Other LanguagesIn June, when Attorney General McKenna was elected President of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), he announced that his Presidential Initiative would be targeting human trafficking, a form of “modern slavery” in which traffickers use force or coercion to make others into sex workers or laborers against their will. General McKenna’s initiative has emphasized the need to not only go after traffickers, but provide assistance to the victims as well.
Fortunately, he is not alone. Another important federal body, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is also working to stop trafficking and help its victims:
ICE not only targets and apprehends human traffickers, but it also provides assistance to human trafficking victims through its Victim Assistance Program. That assistance comes in various forms like temporary immigration benefits, counseling, and more.
Recent cases include:
- ICE’s Victim Assistance Program helped three juveniles, who were part of a sex-trafficking ring and subjected to severe psychological distress, navigate the social services system, access needed therapy and receive assistance with ongoing medical expenses.
- ICE’s Victim Assistance Program helped an adult female, who had been physically abused by a pimp, access housing, medical care and therapy and secure a protective order against the pimp.
ICE further suggests that you “report suspicious activity in your community by calling the ICE HSI Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE.” It’s good to see the government taking an interest in stopping this horrible crime, and helping the people who are most hurt by it!
- Patrick Peterson -