Rep. Sykes Supports Survivors as House Passes Human Trafficking Relief Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) today applauded the House of Representatives for passing the Trafficking Survivors Relief Act.
“Survivors of human trafficking should not carry the burden of crimes they were coerced into committing,” said Rep. Sykes. “By passing this bill, Congress is helping remove the legal barriers that stand in the way of survivors rebuilding their lives and reclaiming their future.”
The Trafficking Survivors Relief Act:
- Establishes a process to vacate convictions and expunge arrest records for certain offenses committed as a result of being trafficked.
- Defines the offenses eligible for vacatur or expungement and outlines procedures for filing a motion.
- Requires the Government Accountability Office to assess the impact of this process, including the number of survivors seeking post-conviction relief.
- Permits certain grants for legal representation to assist survivors in seeking relief.
- Allows defendants to demonstrate that offenses were committed under duress due to human trafficking.
Rep. Sykes has long championed policies that protect vulnerable populations and provide survivors with opportunities for justice and rehabilitation. She is a proud co-sponsor of this legislation and supports its passage, which marks a meaningful step forward in supporting those who have endured unimaginable hardship.
“Survivors deserve justice, support, and a chance to move forward without the stigma of a criminal record,” Rep. Sykes added. “This bill ensures they have that opportunity. I now call on the Senate to pass this legislation so survivors across the country can finally access the relief they deserve.”