Trump vows to combat human trafficking ‘epidemic’

NTD Staff
By NTD Staff
February 23, 2017News
share

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday vowed to use the “full force and weight” of the U.S. government to combat human trafficking.

“I want to make clear today that my administration will focus on ending the absolutely horrific practice of human trafficking and I am prepared to bring the full force and weight of our government … to solve this horrific problem,” he said in the meeting with senior advisors and organizations that combat human trafficking.

Ivanka, Trump’s daughter, is among those in attendance.

Trump will be directing the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies that have a role in preventing human trafficking to devote more resources and personnel to fighting the phenomenon.

“Solving the human trafficking epidemic – which is what it is – is a priority for my administration and we’ll help out a lot,” Trump added.

“We’re going to bring it out into the open, and hopefully we’re going to do a great deal to help prevent some of the horrific, really horrific crimes that are taking place.”

Globally, nearly 21 million people are victims of human trafficking, according to the U.N.’s International Labor Organization. An estimated 4.5 million of them are forced into sex work.

“It’s getting worse and it’s happening in the United States,” said Trump.

“People don’t realize how bad it is in this country, but in this country and all over the world.”

More cases of human trafficking were reported in California than in any other U.S. state last year, according to data from the National Human Trafficking Resource Center’s hotline.

Some 5,500 cases of sex trafficking were reported to the center’s hotline nationwide last year, according to its website.

(REUTERS)

ntd newsletter icon
Sign up for NTD Daily
What you need to know, summarized in one email.
Stay informed with accurate news you can trust.
By registering for the newsletter, you agree to the Privacy Policy.
Comments