Last month, I was privileged to represent PACT at the White House bill signing ceremony for the Take It Down ACT. This groundbreaking law seeks to prevent online exploitation and abuse by imposing criminal penalties for those who distribute or threaten to distribute sexually explicit images without consent.

ECPAT-USA commends Congress and President Biden for passing and signing into law the reauthorization of The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). TVPA funds critical programs that support survivors of human trafficking and provides the legal framework for the U.S. to combat, monitor, and prosecute human trafficking.

ECPAT-USA applauds President Biden for signing the Eliminating Civil Statutes of Limitations for Child Sex Abuse Victims Act of 2022, S.3103 into law. Introduced by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), this critical piece of legislation eliminates civil statutes of limitations for sexual abuse offenses.

Children across the United States continue to face harm from online grooming for sexual exploitation, and it is imperative to increase anti-trafficking efforts by equipping schools with the necessary resources to protect children. Education about exploitation, recruitment, grooming, and consent must be taught at every level in age-appropriate and culturally sensitive ways that ensure inclusivity and understanding. ECPAT-USA urges the implementation of a state-wide human trafficking prevention curriculum within schools for students, educators, and school personnel.