Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Senate Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) released the following in statement to commemorate National Human Trafficking Awareness Day:

“Human trafficking is a borderless crime that knows no race, color or religion. Today we mark a day of remembrance for the millions of men, women and children around the world held against their will and coerced into sexual slavery and forced labor.  We also commemorate the heroes who fight everyday and put their lives at risk to free the victims from their bondage. The Obama Administration has recognized January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in commemoration of almost 150 years since the Emancipation Proclamation and the signing of the Thirteenth Amendment, but the task of raising awareness against this ongoing modern day tragedy should be a priority of every global citizen, every day of their lives.

“Halting the trafficking of people is a priority for me and for Congress.  Because of the profound global nature of this problem, I have worked with my colleagues to halt trafficking in people, including being an original cosponsor to the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act and the Child Protection Compact Act.  These types of legislation are crucial in providing the tools required to end the blight of human trafficking.”  

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