The U.S. Senate voted today 95-3 to reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), the United States’ most important tool in the fight against human trafficking and modern-day slavery. The TVPA expired in September of 2011, placing critical anti-trafficking initiatives at risk, including support to law enforcement and services for survivors. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) offered the TVPA reauthorization as an amendment to the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

The Senators then voted 78-22 in favor of reauthorization for the Violence Against Women Act. “ECPAT-USA applauds the Senate for passing the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) as an amendment to the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The TVPRA and VAWA work to define our nation’s commitment to ending egregious human rights violations and serving those harmed by human trafficking and gender-based violence” said Marina Colby,  Director of Public Policy & Government Relations for ECPAT-USA.

She went on to explain the importance of the bill for child victims of trafficking and urged the House to take similar action, “ECPAT-USA is also pleased to see the new and enhanced provisions that focus on identifying and responding to the needs of child trafficking victims. Now, it’s time for the House of Representatives to exercise the same level of leadership and bi-partisan cooperation to pass this important legislation without further delay.”

To find out how your Senator voted on adding TVPRA as an amendment to VAWA, click here.

To find out how your Senator voted on VAWA, click here.