U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL LAUDS PROGRESS IN FIGHTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING

NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN LEGISLATORS

NEWS RELEASE

U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL LAUDS PROGRESS IN FIGHTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING

WASHINGTON, DC - Representative Judy Morrison's work to halt human trafficking in Kansas is receiving praise from high places.

United States Attorney General Gonzales revealed a Department of Justice report on human trafficking yesterday entitled "Department of Justice Report on Human Trafficking, Fiscal Years 2001-2005."  Outlining strides made in human trafficking prosecutions since prioritizing these crimes in 2001, the report highlights successes in the battle to halt trafficking and comfort victims.

In July of 2004, fifteen women legislators and members of the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) were specially selected to serve on a select legislative task force to spearhead legislation in all 50 states and territories on the issue of human trafficking and child prostitution.  Representative Morrison was chosen to join this task force.  After participating in the first national human trafficking conference, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Morrison was charged with raising awareness about this issue in Kansas.  Today's DOJ report outlines drastic improvements made in the 19 months since the conference with several states passing legislation addressing human trafficking.

Speaking yesterday to a crowd at the Chicago-Kent School of Law, Gonzales shared specific success stories.  "In 2004, only four states had laws against trafficking.  Today, more than a dozen have enacted tough anti-trafficking laws that reflect the principles of the Department's model criminal statute…and I encourage every state to follow, suit," said Gonzales.

"After attending the human trafficking conference, Representative Morrison ensured that human trafficking would no longer be ignored in her state," said NFWL President & CEO Robin Read.  "It took perseverance and tenacity to convince her colleagues and local law enforcement officials that human trafficking is more than just a problem of the back alleys in third world countries – it's a problem of Main Street America, too.  Once Representative Morrison convinced her colleagues that something as heinous as trafficking occurs in their own state, legislation was quick to follow."

The DOJ report showcases how trained officials from across the nation raised public awareness in the states.  Representative Morrison and other women legislators will continue to work with the Administration and law enforcement officials to disseminate information and help stop human trafficking and child prostitution in their states.

About the Human Trafficking in the United States: Rescuing Women and Children from Slavery Conference

Held in Tampa, Florida in July of 2004, the joint Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human Services Human Trafficking in the United States: Rescuing Women and Children from Slavery conference assembled legislators and law enforcement officials from around the nation for special training on the human trafficking and child prostitution issue.  The NFWL task force met with President Bush, Florida Governor Jeb Bush, then Attorney General John Ashcroft (U.S. Department of Justice), Under Secretary Paula Dobriansky (U.S. Department of State), then Under Secretary Asa Hutchinson (U.S. Department of Homeland Security), Senior Advisor Laura Lederer (U.S. Department of State) and several other high-level Administration officials to discuss the importance of combating this issue in Kansas and nationwide.

About the National Foundation for Women Legislators, Inc. (NFWL)

Through annual educational and networking events, the National Foundation for Women Legislators supports women legislators from all levels of governance.  As a non-profit, non-partisan organization, NFWL does not take ideological positions on public policy issues, but rather serves as a forum for women legislators to be empowered through information and experience.