Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons

The Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP) is an agency within the United States Department of State charged with investigating and creating programs to prevent human trafficking both within the United States and internationally. The office also presents the Trafficking in Persons Report annually to Congress, concerning human trafficking in the U.S. and other nations. This report aims to raise awareness about human exploitation and trafficking, and to prevent it. The office’s goals are to make the public aware, protect victims, take legal action against violators, establish necessary and just sentences for criminals, and train law enforcement individuals. The office is led by the United States Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.

History

The Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons was established in October 2001 as a result of the passing of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. This enabling legislation required the President to create a bureau within the State Department to specifically address human trafficking and exploitation on all levels and to take legal action against perpetrators. Additionally, this act was designed to also enforce all laws within the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution that apply.

Currently, there is a U.S. Law on Trafficking in Persons, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), which has been reauthorized several times, most recently in March 2013.^[1][2][3]

Trafficking in Persons Report

The Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons monitors human trafficking and prosecutes perpetrators. It divides nations into tiers based on their compliance with standards outlined in the TVPA.

Officials

Directors

• Ambassador Nancy Ely-Raphel (2001–2002)
• Ambassador-at-Large John R. Miller (2002–2006)
• Ambassador-at-Large Mark P. Lagon (2007–2009)
• Ambassador-at-Large Luis CdeBaca (2009–2014)
• Ambassador-at-Large Susan P. Coppedge (2015-present)

Deputy Directors

• Laura Lederer (2001-2002)
• JoAnn Schneider (2002–2005)
• Paula Goode (2005–2008)
• Nan Kennelly (2008– )
• Alison Keihl Friedman (2011-)

Report Trafficking in the US

Call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center^[4] (1-888-373-7888) to report a potential case of human trafficking; to connect with anti-trafficking services in your area; or, to request training and technical assistance, general information, or specific anti-trafficking resources. The hotline is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, but is operated by Polaris Project, a non-governmental organization. Victims can call for help, even if they are undocumented. Victims are commonly trafficked internationally as well as within their own countries.

Notes

External links

• Official website
• Punishing Trafficking Offenders Adequately
• Department of Health and Human Services Rescue and Restore Campaign
• National Human Trafficking Resource Center

Agencies under the United States Department of State
Headquarters: Harry S Truman Building John Kerry, Secretary of State Tony Blinken, Deputy Secretary of State Heather Higginbottom, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources
Deputy Secretary of State & Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources	Bureau of Budget and Planning Counselor of the Department Office of U.S. Foreign Assistance Resources
Under Secretary for Political Affairs	Bureau of African Affairs Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Bureau of International Organization Affairs Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment	Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs Bureau of Energy Resources Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Office of the Science and Technology Adviser Office of the Chief Economist
Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Affairs	Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation Bureau of Political-Military Affairs
Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs	Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau of Public Affairs Bureau of International Information Programs Department Spokesperson Office of the Historian Office of Policy, Planning, and Resources for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs United States Diplomacy Center
Under Secretary for Management	Bureau of Administration Bureau of Consular Affairs Bureau of Diplomatic Security Bureau of Human Resources Bureau of Information Resource Management Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations Diplomatic Reception Rooms Foreign Service Institute Office of Children's Issues Office of eDiplomacy Office of Foreign Missions Office of Management Policy, Rightsizing, and Innovation Office of Medical Services Office of White House Liaison
Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights	Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations Bureau of Counterterrorism Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration Office of Global Criminal Justice Office of Global Youth Issues Office to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
Bureaus/Offices reporting directly to the Secretary	Bureau of Intelligence and Research Bureau of Legislative Affairs Executive Secretariat Operations Center Office of Civil Rights Office of Inspector General Office of the Legal Adviser Office of Policy Planning Staff Office of the Chief of Protocol Office of Global Food Security Office of Global Women's Issues Office of the United States Global AIDS Coordinator Office of Global Partnerships