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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, May 22, 2006
Contact: ACF Press Office
(202) 401-9215
HHS Announces 1000th Victim of Human Trafficking Certified
WASHINGTON, D.C. --- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced that 1,000 victims of human trafficking have been certified since the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) was signed into law in October 2000. As a result of the legislation, HHS’ Trafficking in Persons office was created to fulfill a congressional mandate entrusted to HHS’ Secretary in certifying victims of human trafficking.
“Today is an important milestone in the Bush Administration’s campaign to rescue and assist those who have fallen victim to human trafficking,” said HHS Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, Wade F. Horn, Ph.D. “Even with 1,000 victims getting the help they need, there’s much more work to be done to end this modern day form of slavery.”
Certification of victims of human trafficking enables them to receive federally-funded or administered services or benefits including safe housing, food, Medicaid, welfare cash assistance, employment as well as assistance from state-specific programs.
In April 2004, HHS launched its rescue and restore campaign to increase public awareness of human trafficking. Since then, the number of certifications has been increasing each year. The campaign relies on a coalition of those likely to encounter victims: law enforcement officials, health care providers, faith-based communities and other first responders. A key component of the campaign is a toll-free, 24/7 human trafficking hotline (1-888-3737-888) that connects victims and those who know of victims to grantees and other assistance providers.
A victim of human trafficking may be identified by signs of being controlled, an inability to move or leave a job, bruises or other signs of battering, fear or depression, lack of a passport, being non-English speaking or having recently been brought to this country. For more information, go to: www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/.
In addition, HHS and the U.S. Departments of Justice, Homeland Security and Education are involved in confirming eligibility for federal student financial assistance for human trafficking victims. More information on this effort will be available at www.studentaid.ed.gov.
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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at www.hhs.gov/news