Significant efforts are underway in the United States to confront the crime of human trafficking, including the enactment of legislation providing resources to both law enforcement and victim service agencies working to identify and assist trafficking victims and prosecute traffickers. The Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act 2000 (TVPA) was the first comprehensive federal law to protect victims of trafficking and prosecute offenders.
Additionally, the 2003 and 2005 and 2008 re-authorizations further directed federal government agencies to gain a better understanding of the scope and sufficiency of our current response to trafficking in persons. The 2005 re-authorization additionally directed the Department of Justice to carry out biennial comprehensive research and statistical review and analysis of severe forms of trafficking in persons and unlawful commercial sex acts in the U.S.
In addition to federal efforts to combat trafficking, 49 states have passed legislation criminalizing human trafficking and directing law enforcement agencies to adopt training programs to enhance identification and interdiction efforts.