Bill Overview
Title: IMPACTT Human Trafficking Act
Description: This bill establishes a program within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to provide outreach and training to HSI employees and partners who have been exposed to various forms of trauma in working with victims of human trafficking. The bill also provides statutory authority for the HSI Victim Assistance Program.
Sponsors: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Target Audience
Population: Victims of human trafficking globally
Estimated Size: 50000
- The HSI employees and their partners involved in addressing human trafficking will directly benefit from the outreach and training program.
- Victims of human trafficking will indirectly benefit as the program is designed to improve the assistance they receive from a better-prepared response team.
- The general public could be indirectly impacted positively as a result of improved efficiency and effectiveness in handling human trafficking cases, potentially reducing such crimes.
- Other law enforcement or government agencies collaborating with HSI on such initiatives may also be impacted positively.
Reasoning
- The primary group directly impacted by the policy includes HSI employees and partners dealing with human trafficking. They would receive training and support to better manage trauma, improving their personal wellbeing and professional effectiveness.
- Victims of human trafficking would indirectly benefit from the policy as more effective and compassionate assistance could be provided through better-prepared responders, potentially improving victims' recovery outcomes.
- The broader public might see minor indirect benefits if the policy leads to enhancements in the efficiency and effectiveness of anti-trafficking operations, possibly reducing the prevalence of these crimes.
- There are limits to how widespread the impact will be, given the budget constraints of $1,500,000 in year 1 and a total of $13,350,000 over 10 years, meaning only a subset of HSI teams and partner organizations will participate early on.
- It's important to note that the general public beyond those directly working with or impacted by human trafficking cases will experience minimal to no direct changes in wellbeing scores as a result of this policy.
Simulated Interviews
HSI Special Agent (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This program could be really beneficial, as dealing with these cases takes a personal toll.
- Training focused on trauma could improve our response and support systems.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
HSI Partner (NGO) (Houston, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's critical for responders to understand the trauma aspect more deeply.
- Such a program is necessary and overdue.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Social Worker (New York, NY)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The training could definitely enhance how HSI interacts with survivors, which impacts our work too.
- Hopefully, it reduces some of the emotional burden on both survivors and workers.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Police Officer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I think the policy sounds good, it might not directly reach me much.
- HSI's improved training could filter down to us through joint work eventually.
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 |
Lawyer (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If HSI improves their victim support, our legal processes might go smoother.
- Direct impact on me is minimal, but the ripple effects could be positive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
University Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Seems like a good move; I imagine reducing trauma could help agents a lot.
- I'm optimistic about how this could improve future opportunities.
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 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Retired (Denver, CO)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's a good initiative for current staff.
- Won't affect me personally, but I see the value for others.
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 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Trafficking Survivor (Miami, FL)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any improvement in training can make a big difference for future trafficking victims.
- I support anything that makes the system better for people like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Public Health Worker (Seattle, WA)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am cautiously optimistic; more trained individuals lessen the strain on public services.
- Mixed feelings, as direct impact seems limited initially.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Corporate Manager (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't think this affects my daily life.
- Hopefully, it will have a broad positive impact on society at some level.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1500000 (Low: $1200000, High: $1800000)
Year 2: $1450000 (Low: $1150000, High: $1750000)
Year 3: $1400000 (Low: $1100000, High: $1700000)
Year 5: $1300000 (Low: $1000000, High: $1600000)
Year 10: $1250000 (Low: $950000, High: $1550000)
Year 100: $1000000 (Low: $800000, High: $1200000)
Key Considerations
- The program focuses on crucial issues of human trafficking, aiming to enhance the skills and readiness of HSI personnel, potentially improving overall public safety.
- The statutory support for the Victim Assistance Program likely ensures consistency and a higher level of service for victims.
- Although the direct economic impacts might be limited, strengthening human trafficking response teams could lead to broader social and economic benefits.