Daines Works to Combat Human Trafficking

Press Release

Representative Steve Daines has joined the U.S. House of Representatives in passing numerous pieces of legislation to combat human trafficking and protect and assist survivors of trafficking--including legislation introduced by Daines and Representative Kristi Noem (R-S.D.)

This week, the House passed several bipartisan bills to fight human-trafficking, including Daines' and Noem's Human Trafficking, Prevention, Intervention and Recovery Act.

"Many think of human trafficking, which essentially amounts to modern day slavery, as something that only happens in other parts of the world, but incidents of this sickening crime are growing at an alarming rate right in our own backyard," Daines said. "This legislation is part of a concerted effort to ensure we are doing everything we can to catch and punish the perpetrators of human trafficking, support and aide the recovery of its survivors and prevent others from becoming victims of this horrible crime."

Daines has been leading efforts to address law enforcement challenges facing eastern Montana's Bakken region, where human trafficking is a growing concern.

He met with local officials in the eastern Montana communities of Glendive and Sidney to listen to their concerns about narcotics and human trafficking.

Based on the information he received, Daines pressed the Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Justice for increased resources and to increase cooperation with state and local law enforcement to deal with the recent growth of criminal activity.

Montana's largest newspaper, the Billings Gazette wrote last week, "Daines has repeatedly called for more law enforcement and more attention to the Bakken counties. Recently, he held a listening session in Glendive to understand what the authorities and communities close to the Bakken are experiencing."

In addition to his efforts in eastern Montana, Daines was a cosponsor of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA) which passed the House in May.

The JVTA targets demand by treating those who buy sex from minors and other trafficking victims like what they are: criminals. More importantly, the JVTA encourages a victim-centered approach to fighting human trafficking so that victims are no longer treated as lawbreakers.

It awaits a vote in the Senate.

Source