Fight slavery in form of sex trafficking

On June 19, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released the 2012 Trafficking in Persons Report, which ranks 184 countries on their efforts to combat human trafficking, including the United States.

While the United States has been a global leader in the fight against modern-day slavery, Congress has failed to pass a critical piece of anti-trafficking legislation: The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. This bill renews the act of 2000, which made human trafficking a federal crime and established the Trafficking in Persons Office to combat trafficking internationally.

The Iowa City area recently was shocked to find local participants accused of being part of a prostitution ring. Don't be misled. Prostitution rings are the same as sex trafficking. This is an issue with which we as a community can relate. Let's help fight it instead of being afraid or indifferent.

Fighting slavery has been a rare point of bipartisan cooperation in Washington. As we approach the anniversary of our nation's founding, Congress should come together again to rid the world of slavery, once and for all.

Joel Bouwers

Coralville