ADVISORY: TODAY:  Experts to Testify on Combating Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation

Washington, D.C. —At the request of Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the Committee will hear testimony tomorrow from witnesses dedicated to combating human trafficking. They were denied an opportunity to testify at a December 1, 2011, hearing on grants awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Cummings, joined by ten other Committee Democrats, invoked his right under House Rules to a hold a "minority day of hearings" with advocates who will give a voice to the victims of human trafficking, forced prostitution, and sexual slavery. As Cummings stated at the December 1 hearing, "to conduct a responsible review of the process used to award these grants, we need to understand who these victims are, what they have gone through, and why they need reproductive health services."

Witnesses will include Andrea Powell, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of FAIR Girls in Washington D.C., and Florrie Burke, a consultant on anti-human trafficking efforts and Chair Emeritus of Freedom Network USA.

Click here to see the video "Giving Voice to Victims," in which Powell discusses her experience helping victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

WHAT: House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Minority Day of Hearings on Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation

WHEN: Wednesday, December 14, 2011, at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: 2154 Rayburn House Office Building

WHO: Andrea Powell, Executive Director and Co-Founder of FAIR Girls, Washington D.C.

Florrie Burke, Consultant, Anti-Human Trafficking/Human Rights/Collaborations
Chair Emeritus, Freedom Network USA