Evaluation of DOD Contracts Regarding Combating Trafficking in Persons: U. S. European Command and U. S. Africa Command

Over the past decade, Congress passed legislation to address its concern regarding allegations of contractor and U.S. Forces’ involvement in sexual slavery, human trafficking, and debt bondage. Prior to 2000, allegations of sexual slavery, sex with minors, and human trafficking involving U.S. contractors in Bosnia and Herzegovina led to administrative and criminal investigations by U.S. Government agencies. In 2002, a local television news program aired a report alleging that women trafficked from the Philippines, Russia, and Eastern Europe were forced into prostitution in bars in South Korea frequented by U.S. military personnel, which resulted in an investigation and changes in DoD policy. In 2004, official reports chronicled allegations of forced labor and debt bondage against U.S. contractors in Iraq. These incidents, when confirmed, were contrary to U.S. Government policy regarding official conduct and reflected poorly on DoD. Our specific objective was to review a sample of DoD contracts for compliance with the “Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000,” 22 U.S.C. 78 (2010), as amended, and to summarize DoD CTIP investigative efforts. Our specific objective was to review a sample of DoD contracts for compliance with the “Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000,” 22 U.S.C. 78 (2010), as amended, and to summarize DoD CTIP investigative efforts.