Wagner Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Sex Trafficking, Hold Foreign Nations Accountable

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement after she introduced the bipartisan Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Act with Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (D-PA):

"One of the major ways to eliminate the power of the criminal networks that traffic victims worldwide is to disrupt the horrific demand fueling the international sex trade. This is a global issue, and it requires a global response," Rep. Wagner said. "The United States is the most powerful nation in the world, and we must use that power to bring accountability against foreign countries that do not take the necessary steps to extinguish sex trafficking and protect victims who need our help."

"To eradicate the inhumane network of sex trafficking, we need a coordinated global effort," Rep. Dean said. "Our bipartisan bill encourages other countries to establish and enforce anti-trafficking measures by strengthening the State Department's Trafficking in Persons (TIP) reports that assess which foreign partners are making a serious effort to eliminate the demand for commercial sex. I'm thankful to Congresswoman Wagner's leadership on this effort to protect the dignity and humanity of every person."

"Sex trafficking is fueled by demand, and no effort to end this global human rights crisis can succeed without actively addressing demand. The Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Act recognizes that reducing the demand for commercial sex is one of the most critical and effective strategies for preventing exploitation, disrupting trafficking networks, and protecting vulnerable and marginalized individuals worldwide. By requiring the State Department's Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report to evaluate whether countries are actively working to reduce demand, this legislation strengthens international accountability and advances a more comprehensive approach to eliminating sex trafficking." - Helen Taylor, Vice President of Impact, Exodus Cry

"Demand is the engine that drives sex trafficking. The federal Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Act recognizes a simple truth: we will never end exploitation if we continue to ignore those fueling the market. This legislation takes an essential survivor-centered approach by strengthening accountability for sex buyers and affirming that those being exploited should not bear the burden of a system fueled by profit and abuse. We urge Congress to pass this critical legislation and send a clear message that exploiting vulnerable people for commercial sex will no longer be tolerated." - Becca Zipkin, Policy Director, World Without Exploitation

"Consumer level demand creates the market forces that sustain pimps, traffickers, and the entire system of prostitution. Sex buyers oxygenate this ecosystem of exploitation by turning human beings into commodities for purchase. A range of multilateral legal obligations and political commitments geared towards discouraging the demand that fosters sex trafficking are in existence and mandate action from the United States. The Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Act is a vital step forward that holds sex buyers accountable, disrupts the profit propulsion of sex trafficking, and rejects the normalization of commercial sexual exploitation." - Dr. Marcel van der Watt, President & CEO, National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE)

"Rights4Girls applauds Reps. Wagner, Dean and Foxx on the introduction of the Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Act - a critical step toward recognizing that sex trafficking cannot be addressed without confronting the demand that fuels it. By ensuring the State Department's TIP Report evaluates whether countries are taking meaningful action to curb sex buying and reduce exploitation, this bill strengthens global accountability and advances a more effective, survivor-centered approach to preventing trafficking." - Yasmin Vafa, Executive Director, Rights4Girls

"We applaud the leadership of Rep. Ann Wagner, Rep. Madeleine Dean, and Rep. Virginia Foxx on the Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Act. There is increasing recognition around the world, from governments to global survivor-led networks, that one of the most effective tools to combat sex trafficking and sexual exploitation is to end the demand for prostitution. Eliminating demand for the multi-billion dollar commercial sex market will dry up the immeasurable profits garnered from the pain and suffering traffickers extract from the most vulnerable among us. If we, as a nation, value human rights, this bill must pass." - Taina Bien-Aimé, Executive Director, Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW)

Background
As stated in a 2017 Report on the demand driving sex trafficking, "there is not a market for women in prostitution and a separate one for sex trafficking victims." Another study found empirical evidence showing "countries where prostitution is legal experience larger reported human trafficking inflows." The United States has the tools to address this problem worldwide. Mandated by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, the State Department's annual Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP Report) is the U.S. government's foundational analysis of each foreign nations' efforts to eliminate human trafficking. All foreign nations are measured against certain criteria defined in statute and given a ranking from Tier 1 (best) to Tier 3 (worst). Tier 3 countries may be subject to restrictions on U.S. foreign aid.

The Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Act would strengthen these criteria, changing the current requirement of making serious and sustained efforts to "reduce" demand for commercial sex, commonly known as prostitution, to whether or not a foreign nation has made serious and sustained efforts to:

1. Prohibit the purchase of commercial sex acts or implement a policy against the purchase of commercial sex acts.
2. Educate buyers of commercial sex on how traffickers exploit prostituted persons for human trafficking.
3. Reduce demand for participation in international sex tourism by nationals of that country.

Read the one-pager here.