Bill Overview
Title: Reduce Human Trafficking through Transportation Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to set aside $10 million each fiscal year to provide grants to certain airports and transit operators for human trafficking awareness, education, and prevention efforts. DOT must give priority in grant amounts to entities that serve regions with a higher prevalence of human trafficking and take into consideration the effect such grants would have on surrounding areas. Additionally, DOT must consult with its Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking in determining the grant amount each recipient receives.
Sponsors: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Target Audience
Population: People impacted by human trafficking
Estimated Size: 1990000
- Human trafficking is a global issue affecting millions of individuals worldwide, including victims, survivors, and those at risk.
- The transportation sector is often exploited in human trafficking operations, making it a critical focus area for preventative measures.
- Raising awareness and educating transportation employees increases the chances of identifying and preventing trafficking activities.
- Efforts in heavily trafficked areas can lead to a reduction in the number of trafficking incidents, directly impacting victims and potential victims.
- Globally, an estimated 24.9 million people are trapped in forced labor and human trafficking according to the International Labour Organization (2016).
Reasoning
- Human trafficking awareness and education within the transportation sector can empower staff to identify suspicious activities and potentially assist victims.
- The policy targets regions with high trafficking incidents, potentially preventing future cases and safeguarding vulnerable individuals.
- Increasing awareness among transport staff and public can enhance community vigilance, promoting safety and wellbeing.
- Given the budget constraints, the implementation must strategically allocate funds where they have the most impact, ensuring subject regions receive adequate resources without spreading too thin.
- Not everyone will be affected directly by this policy; individuals in low-prevalence regions may see minimal changes, but could still benefit from increased awareness and education if they travel through high-risk areas.
Simulated Interviews
Flight Attendant (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see suspicious behaviors sometimes, but often we're not trained on what to look for specifically.
- Better training would definitely help me and my colleagues identify and assist victims.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Taxi Driver (Houston, TX)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Training on what to look for could really help us taxi drivers.
- I often feel uneasy seeing things but not knowing if it's serious.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
College Student (New York, NY)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's great to involve transportation hubs in these efforts.
- Many travelers are not aware of trafficking signs, including myself.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Airport Security (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 56 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We get some training, but more comprehensive info would be better.
- The policy sounds like a step in the right direction to secure the airports more.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Social Worker (Denver, CO)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Additional preventive measures in transport can really aid survivors I work with.
- It's one piece of the puzzle needed to combat trafficking.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired (Chicago, IL)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's heartening to see efforts to tackle such serious issues through transport sectors.
- Though I may not see direct effects, knowing it's happening is reassuring.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Tech Entrepreneur (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Awareness campaigns in transport can ripple through adjacent industries.
- I would support efforts to leverage technology in these initiatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Hotel Manager (Miami, FL)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Transport initiatives could lessen the indirect trafficking issues hotels face.
- We need to be part of the solution as well.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Transport Analyst (Seattle, WA)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Implementing data-driven policies can greatly improve preventative outcomes in trafficking.
- A coalescence of transport and policy insights is essential.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Public School Teacher (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Education and awareness in local transport can reduce risks for students and families.
- It's about building a safer community collectively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $9500000, High: $10500000)
Year 2: $10000000 (Low: $9500000, High: $10500000)
Year 3: $10000000 (Low: $9500000, High: $10500000)
Year 5: $10000000 (Low: $9500000, High: $10500000)
Year 10: $10000000 (Low: $9500000, High: $10500000)
Year 100: $10000000 (Low: $9500000, High: $10500000)
Key Considerations
- The program's success largely depends on effective collaboration between DOT and local authorities.
- Effectiveness in reducing human trafficking will require rigorous implementation and monitoring.
- Focus should be maintained on adapting programs to the unique needs of different regions with high trafficking prevalence.