Peters Joins Senate Caucus to End Human Trafficking

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) announced today that he has joined the bipartisan Senate Caucus to End Human Trafficking, which promotes policies that raise awareness of trafficking, remove demand, support prosecution efforts and ensure services and support are available to survivors of trafficking.

“Human trafficking is a horrific crime that occurs in too many communities in Michigan and around the world, and we must focus on the best policies to help protect and support victims, prosecute traffickers and combat the demand for human trafficking,” said Senator Peters. “I am proud to join this bipartisan caucus and continue working with my colleagues to promote legislation that will end modern-day slavery in the United States and around the world.”

A 2013 Michigan Commission on Human Trafficking report found that trafficking is a serious and growing problem in Michigan. The Commission identified five key factors that hinder the prevention of human trafficking in Michigan: inadequate data on human trafficking, gaps within the state’s victim servicing framework, lack of awareness that human trafficking exists, the need to strengthen anti-trafficking policies and the failure by professionals to recognize indicators of human trafficking. During a July 2013 FBI investigation, more than 150 traffickers were arrested in a nationwide sweep, including 18 traffickers in metro Detroit—more than any other city involved in the operation.

Peters strongly supports efforts to prevent human trafficking in Michigan and around the world. This year, he joined Republican Senator Bill Cassidy (LA) in introducing the bipartisan Trafficking Awareness Training for Health Care Act of 2015 to help train medical professionals to recognize the signs of human trafficking in victims seeking medical care. That provision was signed into law by President Obama as part of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act earlier this year. Peters also cosponsored the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act, which provides emergency shelter for young people, and helps service providers learn to identify victims of human trafficking.

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