Ending Human Trafficking
I am committed to working with my colleagues to achieve the dual goals of ending the human trafficking epidemic and assisting the victims.
Through my involvement with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, I have seen the exploitation and horrific abuses trafficking victims have to endure. As an emergency room physician, I have seen the physical, emotional, and psychological trauma inflicted on victims. And as a father, it sickens me to think that one of my children could be a victim. So as a Member of Congress, I have worked on legislation to help address this problem and held a local roundtable in Nevada with victims, advocacy and law enforcement groups.
Heck Hosts Anti-Human Trafficking Panel Discussion
Heck's Youth Trafficking Victim Support Bill Passes House
The House recently passed bipartisan legislation I introduced to provide additional support to runaway and homeless youth who are victims of severe trafficking. Severe trafficking includes youth forced to perform manual labor or commercial sex acts. H.R. 5076, the Enhancing Services for Runaway and Homeless Victims of Youth Trafficking Act, was introduced following an anti-human trafficking panel Rep. Heck hosted in Henderson in May. One area of agreement on the panel discussion was that more resources were needed for victims’ advocacy and support, especially for at-risk youth. This bill, developed from information provided by constituents at home, helps address that issue.
Education, resources and collaboration are key to preventing human trafficking
By Congressman Joe Heck and Assemblyman John Hambrick