Tester Supports Campaign To Decrease Human Trafficking

By Bill Vander Weele

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont, offered encouraging works during a video greeting for the Fort Peck Tribal Court’s Human Trafficking Conference in Poplar on Wednesday, July 20.

Tester thanked the tribal court for organizing the event, and for law enforcement, prosecutors and community members for their interest in stopping the crimes.

“Human trafficking happens all around the world and Montana is no exception,” Tester said. He noted there are law enforcement agencies and grassroots organizations who are committed to stopping human trafficking in Montana.

“But that’s not enough,” Tester said. “We need more officers in place to ensure violators are caught and prosecuted.”

The senator was glad that some of the state’s brightest minds came together for the conference in order “to end modern day slavery in Montana.”

At the federal level, Savanna’s Act and the Not Invisible Act have been passed with the goal of reducing crimes within Indian Country. He is hopeful that the SURVIVE Act or Indian Victim Empowerment Act gets passed.

“There’s still a long road ahead, but I know everybody here is up to the task,” Tester said of conference participants.

Peter Matt, Native American liaison for Tester, attended the conference in person.