Memphis Standard

U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Amy Klobuchar have reintroduced the National Human Trafficking Database Act, aiming to create a national database for human trafficking data at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This initiative seeks to encourage state law enforcement agencies to report relevant data.

The proposal follows a successful state-level data collection program in Tennessee, developed by Belmont University’s Data Collaborative and Engage Together, an anti-human trafficking organization. Senator Blackburn emphasized the importance of this federal effort: “Human trafficking prosecutions have skyrocketed in recent years, and the federal government must use every available tool to convict criminals that have not yet been identified in our communities.”

Senator Klobuchar added, “We must do all we can to prevent human trafficking. This means making sure that we have the best data and tools available.” She noted that the bipartisan legislation aims to fill critical information gaps and improve collaboration among those fighting human trafficking.

Human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing illicit trades globally, generating over $150 billion annually. The United Nations’ International Labour Organization estimates that 28 million people are victimized worldwide, with 80% subjected to forced labor and 20% involved in sex trafficking. In 2022 alone, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agencies assisted 765 victims and made 3,655 arrests related to trafficking.

The proposed National Human Trafficking Database Act would establish a database at the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime. It would collect aggregated and anonymized data from federal and state agencies, list anti-trafficking organizations by county, and compile prosecution numbers with local District Attorneys’ offices.

To motivate states to contribute data, the bill proposes directing $50 million per fiscal year in grant funding through the Department of Justice.

The act has received endorsements from various organizations including Raven, Street Grace, Hope for Justice, Engage Together, Shared Hope International, National Child Protection Task Force, Lynn’s Warriors, Thistle Farms, Restore Corp by Freed Life, Ancora TN, 3Strands Global Foundation, and the Fraternal Order of Police.