Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson joined colleagues in sending a letters to Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Robert M. Mueller, III and to Attorney General Holder to encourage both to implement the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 thoughtfully and forcefully. 

The legislation reauthorized existing anti-trafficking programs, widened assistance programs for U.S. citizens, provided additional protections for trafficking survivors, and protected unaccompanied alien children from being repatriated into the hands of traffickers or abusers. Idaho Congressman Simpson supported the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 during the 110th Congress.

“Many Americans think that human trafficking is a chapter in the past. But each day individuals are forced into slavery, even though it is illegal throughout the world, and young women and even children are sold into prostitution and horrific situations of abuse and neglect,” said Simpson. “When we realize this is happening, we can’t help but take action to stop it and to ensure that these victims are rescued, their abusers are prosecuted for their crimes, and that domestic and international laws combat modern slavery in America and abroad.”

One important provision of the law makes it clear that the statute applies to those who are willfully blind in the face of abusive commercial sexual activity.  Unfortunately, it is often American tourists who engage in the activities that support human trafficking, and until we ensure that they are not given a free-pass, we will have a difficult time shutting down the industries that force children into prostitution.

The letters were delivered today during a hearing in the House Committee on the Judiciary.