Congress Commits the United States to Ending the Slavery Issue of Our Time

The Protection Project of the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) will host a presentation on "Congress Commits the United States to Ending the Slavery Issue of Our Time" on Thursday, 12/7 at 2 p.m.

With the recent passage of HR 3244, the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act, the United States now has one of the best trafficking laws in the world. The new law includes a federal office to monitor trafficking, tougher penalties for convicted traffickers, and a variety of assistance programs for victims of trafficking here in the United States and abroad.

This panel brings together the legislators who co-sponsored HR 3244 to discuss the implications of the new law and explore ways to use the law to its full effect. The panel also includes two trafficking survivors who spoke at the congressional hearings that led to the formation of HR 3244.

Participants include:

Rep. Christopher Smith, (R) New Jersey

Rep. Sam Gejdenson, (D) Connecticut

Senator Sam Brownback, (R) Kansas

Senator Paul Wellstone, (D) Minnesota

"Maria," trafficking survivor who was trafficked from Mexico to the United States

"Olga," trafficking survivor who was trafficked from Russia to Israel

The event, which is open to the public, will be held in Room 106 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building at Constitution Ave. and First St., N.E., Washington, D.C. Members of the public should RSVP to 202.663.5893.

The Protection Project is a five-year research project, directed by Dr. Laura J. Lederer, based at SAIS. The purpose of the project is to gather and disseminate information regarding the national and international legislation protecting women and children from commercial sexual exploitation.

Members of the media who want to attend the conference should contact Felisa Neuringer at the SAIS Public Affairs Office at 202.663.5626 or [email protected].