Tom Waring, the Wire
The Polaris Project has released 2015 data about human trafficking across the United States.
In Pennsylvania, the group reported 514 calls about trafficking and 106 trafficking cases, nearly half in sex trafficking.
Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick is a member of the Congressional Human Trafficking Task Force and has joined the House in passing legislation that awaits action in the Senate. Those bills are the Human Trafficking Prevention, Intervention and Recovery Act, the Human Trafficking Detection Act and the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.
The congressman issued the following statement:
“The crime of human trafficking is complex and destructive. It shatters the lives of its survivors and their loved ones. The statistics about this multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprise are stunning. And unfortunately this crime occurs in every state. As a member of the Victims’ Rights Caucus, I continue fighting for legislation to put an end to this modern-day slavery. However, combating human trafficking requires commitment and cooperation on all levels of government and among agencies and nonprofits. Locally, I was pleased to see Bucks Coalition Against Trafficking recognized by the County of Bucks as part of a continued effort to raise awareness and help put an end to trafficking. Collectively our efforts must seek to provide law enforcement additional tools to combat human trafficking and make more resources available for victims. I remain committed to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to raise public consciousness, support survivors and bring justice to those who commit this devastating crime.”
