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News | Jan. 7, 2022

DLA officials caution against enabling, supporting human trafficking

By Bruce Thomas DLA Installation Management

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and Defense Logistics Agency Installation Management Security and Emergency Services officials remind employees about the Defense Department’s commitment to end slavery and human trafficking. 

Last month, the president signed the annual proclamation which emphasizes the connection between ending human trafficking and broader efforts to advance equity and justice.  

Trafficking in persons is a transnational threat that violates human rights and is an affront to human dignity and American principles. All DOD employees, indirect hires, contractors, foreign nationals and their dependents, whether located in the U.S. or overseas must avoid any activities that support or facilitate TIP. 

Trafficking in persons activities include pimping, pandering, or patronizing a prostitute; forcing individuals into labor or involuntary servitude; tampering with documents such as withholding passports or creating fraudulent visas; and sex trafficking of children or adults by force, fraud, or coercion. These crimes are subject to punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the United States Code, or both.

It’s important for DLA employees and contractors to remember that combatting TIP is not merely a computer-based training requirement, but a daily mindset that everyone should adopt. Agency employees can do their part by avoiding establishments suspected of or known to engage in sex or labor trafficking, or by reviewing contract proposals to ensure forced labor doesn’t contribute to DOD supply chains.  

Anyone can report human trafficking by contacting local police; the National Trafficking in Persons hotline at 1-888-373-7888; or the DOD hotline at 1-800-424-9098. Employees can also visit DOD’s CTIP website for additional information. 

Additional Resources:

  • United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking Annual Report 2021 - United States Department of State - Summarizes U.S. efforts throughout 2021 to combat human trafficking; highlights COVID-19 impacts on anti-trafficking efforts; and calls for redoubled efforts in 2022 and beyond to eradicate these crimes.
  • National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking - Signed by President Joseph Biden on Dec. 3, 2021, the plan outlines a three-year comprehensive approach to combat human trafficking, including actions to strengthen prosecution of traffickers, enhance victim protections and prevent the crime from occurring within U.S. borders and abroad.
  • 20 Ways You Can Help Fight Human Trafficking - United States Department of State - Outlines numerous strategies for CTIP with additional links for each topic.