The Current

I have testified many times over my 30-year career as an international human rights activist.  I remember only too vividly my very first one.  It was on the subject of human rights in Romania, and I believe the year was 1983.  I was so frightened I almost fainted at the witness table. I’m sure my voice quavered and I’ll bet I said “uh” every other word.  Somehow, in spite of me, the message about Romanian human rights got through, and the Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee were kind. 

Public speaking became easier with practice, of course, and I came to love it.  Over the years, I testified on dozens of countries and issues:  Genocide.  HIV/AIDS.  Sexual assault.  U.S. human rights policy.  Conflict diamonds.  Labor rights.

But I’ve never had so much fun in my life than when I got to testify on July 17 before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.  The issue was serious: what can the United States do to combat slavery and trafficking in the coming 10 years?  What made the hearing so enjoyable was that Chairman Kerry and the senators who joined him – Durbin (IL), Rubio (FL), Boxer (CA), Cardin (MD) – were so well-informed and interested in all three speakers that they truly explored issues of slavery at home and abroad.  Ideas were tested; questions were asked and answered.

The best part of the hearing, however, was being amongst the two other witnesses.  One was my good friend David Abramowitz, Washington Director of Humanity United.  David has worked in both Congress and the Executive Branch, and is one of the wisest, most politically astute people I know. 

Joining us was a new friend to the anti-slavery movement, Jada Pinkett Smith. Jada became interested in the trafficking of young girls for sex here in the U.S. when her daughter Willow learned about the issue.  Jada and the whole family are now anti-trafficking crusaders through a newly-created organization called Don’t Sell Bodies. She brought to the hearing dozens of young activists including three trafficking survivors from California.

I loved sitting next to Ms. Pinkett Smith, who was serious, eloquent and inspirational.  I am a nerd who doesn’t pay much attention to Hollywood celebrities, but I’m here to tell you—Jada Pinkett Smith is terrific.

So is Will.

As I mentioned to the Senate Committee, I have seen how effective the U.S. Government can be when it does speak in one voice about an issue it cares about. I recommended that regional bureaus and embassies be instructed to step up their own messaging to amplify the TIP Office’s – and Congress’s – concerns about modern-day slavery. I also hope and expect that the Senate will enact the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (S.1301 - TVPRA) before adjournment this year and send it to the House for consideration so that these and other important provisions can take effect in 2013. Your role in this outcome, however, is integral, and I am honored to be walking with you in this fight.

There’s something you can do right now! Tell your senator you want him or her to reauthorize the TVPRA, the critical legislation that protects children, women and men from trafficking here at home and abroad. Want to take it even further? Sign up for our 100 Postcard Challenge, and we’ll mail you 100 Abolition Postcards with tips so you can start collecting signatures in your community!

Holly Burkhalter is the Vice President of Government Relations at International Justice Mission. IJM's Justice Campaigns mobilizes people around the country in support of U.S. policies that will lead to the abolition of human trafficking and modern-day slavery.