[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 132 (Wednesday, September 24, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1885]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SEX TRAFFICKING ON THE RISE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2003

  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the President for 
highlighting the issue of sex trafficking in his speech to the United 
Nations yesterday. I am pleased the Administration is focused on 
eradicating this appalling practice. Modern-day slavery and slave 
trading is an ugly practice and is increasing in countries around the 
globe. Million of people worldwide are bought, sold, transported and 
held against their will in slave-like conditions.
  This summer the State Department released its annual report 
highlighting countries with the worst records on trafficking. Some of 
these countries include, Cuba, Greece, North Korea, Sudan, and Turkey. 
Many countries that the United States does business with everyday are 
also on the tier 2 watch list. The United States should be particularly 
hard on these countries and demand that these countries make 
significant improvements and strengthen their anti-trafficking efforts. 
I share the President's commitment to work to end slavery.
  Below is an excerpt from the President's speech:

       There's another humanitarian crisis spreading, yet hidden 
     from view. Each year an estimated 800,000 to 900,000 human 
     beings are bought, sold or forced across the world's borders. 
     Among them are hundreds of thousands of teenage girls, and 
     others as young as 5, who fall victim to the sex trade. This 
     commerce in human life generates billions of dollars each 
     year, much of which is used to finance organized crime.
       There's a special evil in the abuse and exploitation of the 
     most innocent and vulnerable.
       The victims of sex trade see little of life before they see 
     the very worst of life: an underground of brutality and 
     lonely fear.
       Those who create these victims and profit from their 
     suffering must be severely punished. Those who patronize this 
     industry debase themselves and deepen the misery of others. 
     And governments that tolerate this trade are tolerating a 
     form of slavery.
       This problem has appeared in my own country and we are 
     working to stop it. The PROTECT Act, which I signed into law 
     this year, makes it a crime for any person to enter the 
     United States or for any citizen to travel abroad for the 
     purpose of sex tourism involving children. The Department of 
     Justice is actively investigating sex tour operators and 
     patrons, who can face up to 30 years in prison. Under the 
     Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the United States is 
     using sanctions against governments to discourage human 
     trafficking.
       The victims of this industry also need help from members of 
     the United Nations, and this begins with clear standards and 
     the certainty of punishment under the laws of every country.
       Today, some nations make it a crime to sexually abuse 
     children abroad. Such conduct should be a crime in all 
     nations. Governments should inform travelers of the harm this 
     industry does and the severe punishments that will fall on 
     its patrons.
       The American government is committing $50 million to 
     support the good work of organizations that are rescuing 
     women and children from exploitation, and giving them shelter 
     and medical treatment and the hope of a new life. I urge 
     other governments to do their part.
       We must show new energy in fighting back an old evil.
       Nearly two centuries after the abolition of the trans-
     Atlantic slave trade, and more than a century after slavery 
     was officially ended in its last strongholds, the trade in 
     human beings for any purpose must not be allowed to thrive in 
     our time.

                          ____________________