PETITION: Urge Congress to End Child Trafficking!

Yesterday I wrote about the International Justice Mission "5 Weeks for Freedom" campaign. One of the ways you can help the campaign for freedom is by signing the IJM petition to state senators regarding the Child Protection Compact Act.


2 Places to Sign the Petition
Either one will work. It's an easy way to make a big impact.
1. International Justice Mission Website
2. Change.org

You can find more information about the Child Protection Compact Act on the International Justice Mission Website. Here is a brief summary and sample copy of the letter to Senators.

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.

Please support the Child Protection Compact Act (S. 3184)

Dear Senator:

I write to express support for the Child Protection Compact Act (S. 3184).

This legislation would help eradicate the exploitation of children for labor or commercial sex in developing countries by offering additional resources for law enforcement, victim relief, and deterrence through apprehension and prosecution of traffickers.


UNICEF estimates that nearly two million children worldwide are exploited each year through commercial sex trade, and millions more are at risk in dangerous industries. These crimes are not the inevitable consequence of poverty. Rather, they indicate the failure of justice systems in developing countries to take the profit out of slavery by successfully investigating, prosecuting, and convicting those who traffic in human beings.

I urge you to become a sponsor of the Child Protection Compact Act, and help build public justice systems that protect the poor and vulnerable. This important and innovative legislation has been endorsed by International Justice Mission, World Vision, Amnesty International USA, Freedom House, Not for Sale, the SOLD Project, Polaris, Equality Now and Sojourners.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]