Learn about the annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report that is issued by the U.S. State Department. Dr. Sandie Morgan and Dave Stachowiak discuss the importance of the report and some of its key components that will help you study the issues of human trafficking.

Key Points

Resources

[Note from the Ending Human Trafficking podcast team: This episode was recorded in 2011 so the contact information provided is no longer accurate. Please refer endinghumantrafficking.org/contact for the correct contact information to get in touch with the EHT podcast.]

Transcript

Dave [00:00:01] You’re listening to the Ending Human Trafficking podcast. This is episode number five recorded in June 2011. Welcome to the Ending Human Trafficking podcast. My name is Dave Stachowiak.

Sandie [00:00:29] And my name is Sandra Morgan.

Dave [00:00:31] And this is the show where we empower you to study the issues, be a voice, and make a difference in ending human trafficking. Glad to be back with you again, Sandie.

Sandie [00:00:41] Hi, Dave. It’s good to be here. I am so excited to talk about the Trafficking in Persons report. This is a report that the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons produces annually since the first Trafficking Victims Protection Act was passed in 2000. And it is amazing. It has grown so that it covers 175 countries and helps us find and raise global awareness so that we spur countries to take effective action to counter trafficking, to counter modern-day slavery.

Dave [00:01:17] So, today’s topic is really going to look at exploring this report, which did it just come out or just about to come out?

Sandie [00:01:23] It’s due out June 2011. So, any day now.

Dave [00:01:27] OK, great. So, we’ll learn a little bit more about what this report is about and specifically how this report adds value to the global fight against human trafficking. And if this report or anything else we talk about today is something you’d like to know more about, be sure to send us some feedback or even send us an audio voicemail. And we’d be happy to include your comments on an upcoming show and answer your questions. The best way to do that, there’s actually two ways to do that. One is to call us, and you can reach us at the Global Center for Women and Justice at Vanguard University. And that number is 714-556-3610 and Sandie’s office is the extension 2242. The other great way to reach us is via email. And Sandie, that address?

Sandie [00:02:19] [email protected]

Dave [00:02:28] And if you’re looking for the Web site to Sandie’s office at Vanguard, that’s actually very easy to get to as well. It’s just GCWJ.Vanguard.edu and you can find a number of resources and information about human trafficking and some of the other advocacy that the center is working on as well. And I should mention before we get started, Sandie, we did get some feedback already from some of the past episodes. And in particular, we received a comment from Bruce in Pennsylvania. So, if you’re listening, we are actually working on your answer. So, we will be answering that on an upcoming show. Sandie’s doing some research right now. So, thanks again for everyone who’s already reached out to us about the podcast. We’re excited to be getting feedback and hearing from you. Also, we look forward to continuing the conversation as the weeks and months go on and we continue to explore future episodes. And by the way, we should mention if you have suggestions for things, you’d like us to cover. We’re also open to that, too.

Sandie [00:03:27] Exactly. We want to be a good resource so that you can have the opportunity to study the issues and know what to say and know what to do.

Dave [00:03:37] Yeah. Which brings us to our topic today, which is looking at the Trafficking in Persons report that is put out by the State Department. And you had mentioned a little bit about the report already, Sandie. Could you, for those of us who aren’t familiar, and I’m aware that there is a report and I’ve seen it before, but that’s about the extent of my knowledge of this and even how the State Department is involved in really ending human trafficking? And, of course, we’re talking about the U.S. State Department. So, I wondered if you could even before we talk about the report in detail, for those of us who may not be very familiar, what type of structure and resources does the U.S. State Department have in place at a high level to really combat trafficking?

Sandie