Risch co-introduces act to identify trafficked women seeking abortions

March 27, 2023

U.S Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Ted Budd (R-North Carolina) introduced the Stopping Traffickers and Their Accomplices Act to require abortion providers to file a report with the National Human Trafficking Hotline if there is reasonable suspicion to believe a woman is a victim of human trafficking.

“Human traffickers will do everything in their power to exploit and violate their victims, including coercing women into receiving an abortion against their will," Risch said. "The Stopping Traffickers and Their Accomplices Act will ensure steps are taken to prevent abortion clinics from contributing to this abhorrent crime.”

The Stopping Traffickers and Their Accomplices Act would:
  • Require abortion service providers to complete training to identify potential victims of sex trafficking;
  • Require abortion service providers certify to the Secretary of HHS through the Administration for Children and Families’ Office on Trafficking in Persons that they have a plan in place  to identify and respond to the needs of potential victims of trafficking that present at their facility;
  • Require abortion service providers to report cases of suspected trafficking to local law enforcement within 24 hours or face criminal prosecution;
  • Require HHS to provide the report to DOJ and local law enforcement; and
  • Allow State Attorneys General to enforce the bill.

U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Rick Scott (R-Florrida), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi) also cosponsored the legislation.

The Stopping Traffickers and Their Accomplices Act has received support from Concerned Women for America, Students for Life Action, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and Heritage Action for America.

“The corrupt partnership between human and sex traffickers with the abortion industry is well known, an ugly relationship that needs to be stopped to protect women caught in the crossfire," Kristan Hawkins, President of Students for Life Action, said. "Abortion is an avenue for traffickers to continue their horrific abuse of women and girls. The abortion industry must be held accountable for aiding and abetting traffickers, and any opposition to this humanitarian bill will show that abortion’s financial interests are being placed about the needs of women. The Stopping Traffickers and Their Accomplices Act is a great step towards preventing the abortion industry from profiting off of sex trafficking and ignoring the crimes they may be facilitating. Students for Life Action asks Congress to support this commonsense effort to stop the exploitation of women.”