POE
of texas
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in my other life, I was a prosecutor
and Judge. I saw the worst of the worst criminals in my courtroom, but
it wasn't until I visited the Ukraine, when I first came to Congress,
that I learned about the scourge of human trafficking. It is slavery.
Soon I became aware that this crime wasn't just happening in far off
places but right here in the United States, in our own backyards.
Unfortunately, my hometown of Houston is one of the hubs for human
trafficking because of its proximity to the border, major interstates,
airports, and ports.
As cofounder and co-chair of the Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus
with my friend Jim Costa from California, I have made fighting human
trafficking a priority.
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Human trafficking is a hidden crime.
These victims are not willing participants in prostitution. These
women, men, girls, and boys are being held against their will, caught
in a life of drug addiction, physical abuse, and sexual assault.
Children cannot be prostitutes. Children cannot consent to sex. They
get forced into the crime of human trafficking, they are victims not
criminals.
It is estimated that at least 100,000 children are at risk for human
trafficking every year in the U.S. The real number of trafficking
victims is unknown.
Even if they are identified, they are constantly moved around by
their traffickers, whether that's across our borders and/or around the
country. Many are runaways, throwaways, or stowaways. Imagine a child
being considered a throwaway or a child that no one is looking for.
This is reality for many in our country. We must be the ones to give
them hope.
Victims may be afraid to come forward. They may be arrest and jailed
because they are mistaken for criminal. Forgiven immigrants kidnapped
and brought to the US are told their families will be harmed if they
seek help.
Many victims may be suffering from Stockholm Syndrome and actually
believe they are in a loving relationship with their trafficker.
Education and awareness for law enforcement and the public will help
prevent trafficking and identify the victim.
Rescuing and Restoring victims must be a top priority. Trafficking
victims have unique needs, different than the needs of other crime
victims. They must receive specialized, trauma-informed care from those
that understand this crime.
Trafficking victims are not easy victims to help. They've been
through extremely terrible situations. Many have come from a life of
hardship, from abusive families, and moved around from family to family
in foster care. Anyone they've trusted in the past has used them and
betrayed them. So, many times after they've been rescued, they run
because that's what they know.
We cannot give up on these girls. They deserve to know love and
trust. As a society, we must embrace them.
I've introduced the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act with
Congresswoman Maloney. This bill will ensure funding for the rescue and
restoration of trafficking victims. It will ensure specialized training
and care, and training for law enforcement. These services will be paid
for by fines on the perpetrators. The bad guys literally pay for the
crimes they have committed. What a concept!
Our bill also addresses the cause of this dastardly deed: the demand.
Gone are the days of boys being boys. Those that buy sex from children
are child abusers, not Johns. John is in the Bible. He's a good guy.
These criminals must be punished like the child abusers that they are.
They are child rapists.
During January, National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention
Month, we recognize that we have a long road ahead of us in order to
eradicate our country and our world of modern day slavery. If we have
the help and work of local, state, and federal governments, wonderful
anti-trafficking organizations, and just people with good hearts, I
think we can put a stop to this despicable crime.
And that's just the way it is.
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