For the past year and a half, the International Justice Mission has been working on gaining support for a bill called the Child Protection Compact Act (CPCA), legislation designed to increase U.S. support to eradicate child trafficking in countries that have the will to end the crime but lack resources.

The central feature of the legislation, which is to provide increased assistance for select “focus countries” to nourish functioning justice systems to protect children from trafficking, was informed by IJM’s own experience in aiding governments in combating trafficking. These focus countries, which would be determined by the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP), will receive support in building public justice systems that effectively investigate crimes against children and prosecute perpetrators in numbers sufficient to deter and eventually eliminate the crime. The legislation also authorizes increased assistance for care for survivors of trafficking.

On June 5, 2009, Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) introduced the CPCA in the House of Representatives; it now has over 110 co-sponsors. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced a similar bill in the Senate on March 25, 2010, which now has several co-sponsors on both sides of the aisle.

You can help IJM ensure that this vital legislation is passed by contacting your senator today to urge him/her to support the CPCA.

VISIT THE IJM WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BILL AND TO SEE IT'S PROGRESS IN CONGRESS.

OTHER WAYS TO HELP
1. Take the pledge to vote for Free Generation International to receive a $20,000 donation from Chase Bank.  They need your vote on Facebook.  I don't have $20,000 to donate against human trafficking, but Chase Bank does with your vote.

2. If you would like to do more, please visit the Human Trafficking Petition page on Change.org.  There are currently 60+ petitions you can sign to help improve polices and make changes in the fight against modern slavery.

Thank you and keep up the fight!