Bilirakis Applauds Efforts to Crack Down on Human Trafficking
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) released the following statement today after the House of Representatives unanimously passed three bipartisan bills to fight the scourge of human trafficking in our communities.
"Human trafficking is not a distant problem only occurring in other countries, it's a human rights crisis happening right here at home. Last year, our state of Florida reported the third highest number of human trafficking cases in the country. With the passage of this legislation, we are implementing a stronger detection system at the federal, state, and local levels," said Bilirakis.
"I am particularly proud of recent efforts in the Tampa Bay area, like the joint taskforce formed by Pasco County Sheriff's Office Corporal Alan Wilkett and BayCare's Liana Dean. This work continues to bring us closer to a community that is safer for our most vulnerable citizens."
See below for more information on the bills passed today:
- The Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act (H.R. 2664) gives the Department of Labor the tools necessary to train employees to effectively identify human trafficking in a workplace and quickly report cases.
- The Empowering Law Enforcement to Fight Sex Trafficking Demand Act (H.R. 2480) expands eligibility for law enforcement agencies to qualify for federal Department of Justice grants that would assist in the development of programs to fight human trafficking in local communities.
- The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2200) reauthorizes $130 million in resources to increase anti-human trafficking education.
According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, over 7,500 cases of human trafficking were reported in 2016, including 550 cases in Florida.