Trafficking in Persons Report Heroes and U.S. Leaders Work to End Human Trafficking

June 20, 2019

One of the common misperceptions in identifying the act of human trafficking is the notion that it solely occurs across borders. In fact, human trafficking can occur exclusively within a country and its communities. Each year, there are individuals from around the world who are recognized by the U.S. Department of State for their personal efforts and commitment to ending modern slavery. These Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report Heroes are social workers, advocates, and experts in the field who take initiative to save lives from human trafficking.

The TIP Report Heroes are honored each year in Washington, D.C. during the release of the Trafficking in Persons Report. They then travel across the United States on the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) to work with the United States’ global partners and end trafficking. In 2019, the Heroes will travel to cities across the United States to meet with civil rights and legal counterparts.

The program allows them to build networks and share ideas with other local leaders. These collaborations lead to new action plans and better responses to human trafficking in the United States and around the world.

TIP Heroes Today

Agnes de Coll, a 2019 TIP Hero, said “ "May 7th- I receive a message every year. On May 7th, the anniversary of her freedom. After being a domestic slave and a sex slave for 8 years, we walked away from the police together to start her life. I was there to help and she was there to be my TIP hero.

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