Safety alone isn't enough. Real, lasting freedom for survivors requires legal protections, sustained funding, and policy shaped by people who've lived through trafficking, not around them.
Why Policy Is Part of the Fight
Recovery is only the beginning. Without proper aftercare and legal protection, 80% of trafficking survivors are re-victimized; safety on one day doesn't guarantee freedom the next.
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) gives survivors legal rights, funds long-term support services, and enables organizations like Safe House Project to offer the care survivors need to rebuild their lives. Safe House Project works to keep it, and the policies built on top of it, strong.
The Trafficking Survivor Equity Coalition (TSEC)
TSEC unites survivor advocates, nonprofits, government agencies, and legal experts to shape trafficking policy the way it should be shaped: by the people who've lived it.
TSEC's work:
- Gathers insight from survivor advocates and field experts to identify gaps in current policy and practice
- Educates lawmakers, advocating for legislative changes that protect and empower survivors
- Supports implementation, helping organizations align with new standards once policy changes
The Law Behind the Work
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), the federal law behind trafficking survivors' protection in the U.S., is the cornerstone of the country's anti-trafficking framework. Since its enactment, it has been reauthorized multiple times to keep pace with evolving trafficking.
Most recently, the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention & Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022 passed the House of Representatives in a bipartisan 401–20 vote, reauthorizing $1.2B in funding over five years for anti-trafficking work.
Reauthorization isn't automatic. It takes ongoing advocacy, letters, calls to representatives, and public awareness to keep these protections funded and up to date.
Add Your Name to the Cause
Signing the Letter adds your voice to a coalition demanding urgent, compassionate change at the highest levels of government. Join in telling lawmakers, clearly, that trafficking must be addressed with urgency and care.
What happens after you sign: your name joins a growing list of advocates, and Safe House Project presents the letter directly to lawmakers pushing for survivor-centered policy.
More Ways to Help
Volunteer →
Complete the free, one-hour OnWatch training, then apply to get involved directly.
Stay Informed
Follow policy developments through our Resources.
Donate
Fund the advocacy and services that make policy change possible. donate here
Policy FAQ
What is the Trafficking Survivor Equity Coalition?
TSEC is a national policy and advocacy initiative led by Safe House Project that ensures trafficking policy is shaped by people with lived experience, not decided without them.
What is the Freedom Requires Action (FRA) Letter?
The FRA Letter is Safe House Project's advocacy initiative, rallying public support for legislative reforms centered on trafficking survivor equity and protection.
Why does TVPA reauthorization matter?
Reauthorization keeps legal protections and funding current as trafficking tactics evolve. Without it, the frameworks that fund survivor services and prosecute traffickers can lapse.
How can I get involved beyond signing?
Volunteer (starting with our free OnWatch training), donate, or stay informed through our resources; every layer of involvement sustains the push for policy change.
Your Voice Shapes Policy
Stand with us. Sign the FRA Letter and help build the legal protections survivors need for freedom that actually lasts.