WASHINGTON, April 9 (UPI) -- The Obama administration unveiled in Washington Tuesday a plan aimed at doing a better job of stopping human trafficking.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said at the White House Forum on Combating Human Trafficking the draft plan is the administration's "latest effort to combat the hidden crime of human trafficking and help victims of human trafficking."
The Federal Strategic Action Plan on Services for Victims of Human Trafficking, which will be open for public comment for 45 days, was developed collaboratively by the White House and a number of federal agencies, including the Justice, Health and Human Services, and Labor departments, she said.
The goal, she said, will be to "better coordinate efforts across the federal government to identify, rescue and support victims."
She said in a release once the plan is completed it will "complement and advance anti-trafficking efforts already under way" at Homeland Security.
She said the administration's previous anti-trafficking program, dubbed Blue Campaign, has been fruitful.
"Last year alone, we received more tips through the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement tip line than ever before, investigated a historic amount of cases and rescued more victims of human trafficking, and provided support to over 1,200 human trafficking victims," she said.
"We have also expanded our victim assistance program, and will continue to make combating human trafficking a priority.
"Working together, we can take comprehensive action to stop this terrible crime, rescue victims, and put perpetrators behind bars."
