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The Trafficking Victims Protection Act at 20: A Look Back – and a Look Ahead

Date:
Location:
2200 Rayburn House Office Building

Announcement

Please join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for a hearing on the effect the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) has had in addressing the scourge of sex and labor trafficking around the world.   

Signed into law in 2000, the TVPA is a landmark piece of legislation that has impacted various countries’ approaches to human trafficking.  With its annual tier ranking of countries based on their efforts at prosecution, protection and prevention with respect to trafficking, the State Department has become the lead agency in encouraging other countries to adopt best practices.  Subsequent iterations of the law which have renewed and expanded the anti-trafficking mandate have broadened efforts at prevention, including an education component that was part of the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2018 enacted in the last Congress. 

Witnesses will analyze the efficacy of the TVPA, the contributions of the annual Trafficking in Persons reports, the role played by other U.S. government agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice, as well as emerging trends in both sex and labor trafficking.  Panelists will share their recommendations for further legislative action. 

This hearing will be open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the interested public, and the media. The hearing will be livestreamed via the Commission website, and will also be available for viewing on Channel 54 of the House Digital Channel service. For any questions, please contact Piero Tozzi(link sends email) at 202-225-3765 (for Rep. Smith) or Kimberly Stanton(link sends email) at 202-225-3599 (for Rep. McGovern).   

Hosted by:

Christopher H. Smith
Member of Congress
Co-Chair, TLHRC
James P. McGovern
Member of Congress
Co-Chair, TLHRC
Witnesses

Opening Remarks

Witnesses

Panel I

  • The Hon. John Cotton Richmond, Ambassador-at-Large Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, U.S. Department of State
    Written testimony
  • Katherine Chon, Director of the Office of Trafficking in Persons and Senior Advisor on Human Trafficking, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
    Written testimony

Panel II

  • Lori L. Cohen, Executive Director, ECPAT-USA
    Written testimony
  • Neha Misra, Senior Specialist, Migration and Human Trafficking, Solidarity Center
    Written testimony
  • Limnyuy Konglim, Head of U.S. Liaison Office, International Catholic Migration Commission
    Written Remarks  
  • Liat Shetret, Senior Advisor for Crypto-Policy and Regulation, Elliptic
    Written Remarks

Video 

Meeting Documents

Contact The Commission

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission
House Committee on Foreign Affairs
4150 O'Neill House Office Building
200 C Street SW
Washington, D.C. 20515
United States of America

Phone: +1 (202) 225-3599
TLHRC@mail.house.gov

Accessibility

The Commission seeks to make its events, meetings and hearings accessible to persons with disabilities.

If you are in need of special accommodations, please call (202) 225-3599 at least four business days in advance.

Questions with regard to special accommodations in general (including availability of Commission materials in alternative formats and assistive listening devices, sign language interpretation, etc.) may be directed to the Commission.

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