I think we can all agree that human trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes we face as a community. The thought of losing a loved one to such an awful form of exploitation is enough to keep any of us up at night.

The good news is that Congress took bipartisan action this week to reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, which was originally signed into law in 2000, to double down on our efforts to prevent trafficking, prosecute offenders, and protect survivors. Specifically, this legislation makes critical investments to keep our communities safe by:

• Expanding and strengthening prosecution efforts to put trafficking criminals behind bars.
• Reauthorizing essential Homeland Security programs that prevent sex offenders from traveling overseas for the purpose of exploiting children.
• Supporting shelters, mental health providers, and recovery centers dedicated to helping victims get their life back.
• Providing safe housing options to help victims break free from their abusers.

I have been a strong supporter of this life-saving legislation for many years, and I was proud to help reauthorize it again this week. I’m confident it will continue to keep people in our community — especially women and children — safe from the horrors of human trafficking. 

To learn more about how you can help prevent human trafficking, please visit the State Department’s website here.