Seeking to provide further assistance to human trafficking victims, the House of Representatives will host a hearing at 9:15 a.m. Thursday in the Subcommittee on Health to review legislation put forth by Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.).
The legislation is meant to improve the training of health providers to identify victims of human trafficking.
“The unacceptable crime of human trafficking affects millions of people and has continued to adapt to new means of exploitation,” Ellmers said. “For too long society has turned a blind-eye to these crimes. This is not just happening in other countries; it is happening right here in our own communities. We must ensure that the victims are protected and receive the care they need. That is why this legislation is so important. This bill seeks to help public health professionals understand how to identify trafficking victims and how to get them the best treatment so that they can reclaim their lives.”
The National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) has seen a 259 percent increase in the number of calls they have received from 2008 to 2012. In that five-year period, there had been 9,298 reported cases to the NHRTC.
The meeting will be held in Room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building.