The following editorial appeared in the Seattle Times:
Helping victims of human trafficking, some who have suffered rape and forced prostitution, put their lives back together requires providing them with a full range of reproductive services, including contraception and abortion.
That guidance ought to help move a U.S. Senate bill reauthorizing the Trafficking Victims Protection Act passed by the Judiciary Committee last fall but stalled since by political wrangling over reproductive rights in the House.
The $130-million appropriation is smaller than previous spending levels, but it toughens enforcement and increases funding for victim assistance.
The Senate bill is a good one. It is far better than the effort in the House where misguided Republican modifications make it untenable.
The House bill, for example, shifts financing for victims’ services to the Justice Department from the Department of Health and Human Services.
The latter agency is being punished by conservative Republicans for rejecting a $2.5 million grant request from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; the conference wants the money but refuses to refer trafficking victims to abortion providers and family planning services or make other reasonable accommodations.
Partnerships with a broad coalition of faith-based organizations, law enforcement and nonprofits are an integral part of fighting human trafficking and slavery.
But victims need a level of service.
During the George W. Bush administration, Congress passed laws three times to fight human trafficking and slavery. Bipartisanship on an important issue has now given way to Republican obstructionism over reproductive services.
Reauthorization of The Violence Against Women Act is delayed under similar politically dubious reasons.
Republicans are missing the big picture with both bills.
Efforts to combat human trafficking are working.
A national trafficking hotline is helping law enforcement rescue victims and connect potential victims with services.
Congress must move swiftly on the Senate bill.
Comments (2)
Add commentNot so fast
These services are a rider to the primary objective of combating human trafficking, which is a function of the Justice Department. They are not necessary for combating human trafficking; instead, they are part of the rehabilitative/recovery process. So rather than “grow” a service that does not belong in the Justice Department, the best fit is to re-direct the appropriation ($$$) for these services to HHS.
A large percentage of these victims come to the Church first because they are: likely illegal (so avoid the Law), come from places where the Roman Catholic faith is prevalent, and trust the Church.
So the federal govt is saying it wants to help these illegal victims (granted, not all are illegal), and it wants the Catholic Church to refer them to services that are counter to the faith. Sounds like a matter of compassion with compromise. Sounds like the administration will have to once again channel the wisdom of Solomon to provide these services and retain Church buy-in with the program. Because the Catholic Church is not going to turn away victims – that goes against the grain.
STOP human trafficking!!!
I guess that it is about as easy as stopping drug use.
However, if I ever get wind of any human being perpetrating or promoting either evil....hmmm...better not say here. I will NOT choose respect. That is for sure!