ECPAT-USA’s very own Director of Public Policy & Government Relations, Marina Colby, was present during the historic signing of the TVPRA. She shared her thoughts and photo below:
During rousing applause and a standing ovation from hundreds of anti-violence advocates, survivors, Members of Congress, government officials and tribal leaders – I was able to snap this photo of President Obama signing the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act and the Trafficking Victims Protection Act on Thursday at the U.S. Department of Interior. These events usually take place at the White House, yet due to the number of people the President and the Vice-President wanted to invite to witness this occasion, a much larger space was needed.
With the signing of this law, important new protections and services will now extend to gays, lesbians, Native Americans and survivors of human trafficking.
In his remarks, the President presents the story of a survivor “who was brought into the sex trade by a neighbor when she was 12 years old,” and who is now “working full-time to help at-risk girls stay out of the sex trade.” The President further states, “with this bill, we reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act to help more girls turn out like her. That’s what today is all about!”
As ECPAT-USA supporters, you are also part of this success! View the signing ceremony here.
To learn more about our actions items to pass VAWA/TVPRA click here.
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