Conrad Backs Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking

Senator Kent Conrad today met with the leadership of God's Child Project and affirmed his support for the Bismarck non-profit and its efforts to combat international human trafficking.

"Human trafficking is nothing short of modern day slavery. Even here, in the United States, people are being bought, sold, and smuggled each and every day -- and many of the victims of this brutal crimeare children," Senator Conrad said. "More must be done to combat this horrific crime."

Human trafficking involves the commercial exchange and exploitation of humans including forced prostitution, involuntary labor, servitude or slavery-like practices.

Today, human trafficking is the second largest criminal industry in the world, after the illegal drug trade. It is also the fastest growing. According to the International Labor Organization, 12.3 million people are enslaved worldwide, including many in the United States.

God's Child Project has been providing education, medical care, and other critical aid to children and families around the world since 1991. For the past 10 years the Bismarck-based nonprofit has also focused on combating international human trafficking through their Institute for Trafficked, Exploited & Missing Persons (ITEMP).

Last year Senator Conrad helped God's Child secure a $240,000 grant from the U.S. State Department to support ITEMP. In today's meeting, God`s Child Project founder, Patrick Atkinson, updated the Senator on how the grant is being utilized as well as additional efforts to combat human trafficking around the globe.

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