By Nate King, Director of U.S. Policy and Advocacy, International Justice Mission
This article reflects the viewpoints and experience of the contributing individual(s) and/or organizations.
Content Warning(s): Child abuse/pedophilia, violence
Today, 50 million people worldwide are living in some form of human trafficking, also known as modern slavery or trafficking in persons (TIP). Of this, 1 in 3 are children. On this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we recommit our time, energy and resources to ending modern slavery across the world and honoring the dignity of every person – especially children.
Trafficking occurs in many forms. Forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation are two of the most historic infringements of human rights – perpetrators exert power and control over victims, using fraud, force or coercion to take away their livelihood, economic opportunities, and decision-making abilities. These crimes can go unseen in communities where trafficking is common and impunity for traffickers is the norm. In many places around the world, perpetrators are not held accountable, and victims rarely see justice.
Earlier this summer, the U.S. State Department released its annual Trafficking in Persons Report. This report places countries on a tier ranking system based on their compliance with anti-trafficking standards outlined in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), the comprehensive U.S. law which addresses trafficking and extends protection to victims.
Passage of the TVPA in 2000 followed the 1994 enactment of the Violence Against Women Act, driven by growing demand for American leadership in the fight against trafficking and to protect and restore victims worldwide. These bills passed with bipartisan support following significant advocacy efforts from civil society organizations, like members of the End OSEAC Coalition, and grassroots advocates. Advocacy has consistently been instrumental in the passage of legislation and creation of programs that demonstrate the United States’ commitment to ending trafficking worldwide.
As we recognize this progress, we also acknowledge that new challenges require innovative solutions. The advent of technology has opened pathways for serious forms of trafficking, which continue to gain momentum with each new advancement, including the online sexual exploitation and abuse of children (OSAEC), which includes creating, possessing or distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) like photos and videos. In IJM’s experience with this form of trafficking from our casework in the Philippines, online predators in Western countries like the U.S. send payments to Filipino adults in exchange for streaming live, sexual abuse of children in their care. This isn’t the simple exchange of explicit images. Girls and boys are forced to perform sex acts and are abused by an adult or are exploited in other violent ways – and those images and videos are transmitted to a paying customer in real time.
Efforts to relieve victims, help restore survivors, and prevent the next generation from experiencing violence and abuse cannot be done alone. Everyone is a stakeholder in the effort to protect human dignity. As a hub for the world’s leading technology companies, the United States must show strength and a robust effort to curb this abuse. As the recently released 2024 TIP Report noted, “Technology companies play a pivotal role in protecting victims and vulnerable individuals from being exploited through the use of their online platforms and must be part of the solution to combat human trafficking.”
Earlier today, the Senate overwhelmingly passed a historic piece of legislation that places significant restrictions on the technology industry. The Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act, which combines KOSA and COPPA 2.0, passed with bipartisan support 91-3 and now awaits action by the House before moving to the president’s desk for signature.
Passage of KOSPA is a step in the right direction, but we need Congress to move on the swath of online child safety bills endorsed by the End OSEAC Coalition, including the EARN IT Act (H.R. 2732/S. 1207), a bipartisan bill that would shift fundamental business incentives for the U.S. technology sector in addressing this crime. As I wrote recently in The Hill, “Progress in the fight against technology-facilitated trafficking is possible, but Congress needs to bring Silicon Valley further along to truly see systemic change in combatting this global crime.” The passage of EARN IT would be a significant step toward the goal of protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation online. The EARN IT Act awaits a full Senate vote and action from the House Judiciary Committee.
Ask Congress to act now to protect children into the future: CONTACT CONGRESS.
