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U.S. task force will combat trafficking in humans

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From Terry Frieden
CNN Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Attorney General John Ashcroft plans to establish a task force to combat the growing global problem of worker exploitation, including the international transportation of women and children for forced prostitution, officials said Tuesday.

The Departments of Justice, Labor and State are moving to implement a law passed last year with strong bipartisan support to fund programs aimed at stemming what has become a form of modern-day slavery in many countries.

Government agencies have estimated about 50,000 women and children are smuggled into the United States each year.

The victims, often from Asia and the former Soviet republics, believe they are being transported to the United States to engage in legitimate employment but find themselves forced into roles as sex slaves, prostitutes or nude dancers.

The problem has appeared in many countries, with as many as 700,000 to 1 million victims estimated worldwide per year.

Some of the most liberal and conservative lawmakers in Congress teamed up to pass the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000.

Its provisions include tougher penalties for criminals engaged in the worker exploitation, special visas allowing victims to remain in the United States, programs to assist the victims and provisions enabling victims to assist with prosecutions.

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