Senate Committee Examines Human Trafficking of Native Americans

On September 27, the Senate Indian Affairs Committee held a hearing, “The GAO Reports on Human Trafficking of Native Americans in the United States.” The hearing focused on the human trafficking of Native Americans, noting that women and girls are often victims of sex trafficking. In addition, the hearing emphasized the need to adequately investigate and prosecute these crimes.

The following witnesses testified:

• Gretta L. Goodwin, director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, U.S. Government Accountability Office;
• Tracy Toulou, director, Office of Tribal Justice, U.S. Department of Justice;
• Jason Thompson, acting deputy director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior;
• Nicole Matthews, executive director, Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition; and
• Cindy McCain, co-chair, Arizona Governor’s Human Trafficking Council.