Combating Human Trafficking and Online Child Exploitation in the United States

This executive order establishes combating human trafficking and online child exploitation as an executive branch priority, creating a dedicated Domestic Policy Council position, directing improved prevalence estimates, enhancing interagency coordination for prosecution, and mandating proposals to overcome information-sharing barriers for detecting child sexual abuse material online. It also directs victim protection efforts including housing strategies and prevention education partnerships with schools.

Federal Register Open PDF 85 FR 6721

Impact dates

Jul 29, 2020
AG and DHS Secretary propose legislative/executive actions on information-sharing for detecting child sexual abuse material

Key directives

DPC shall commit one employee position to human trafficking coordination, detailed from DOJ/DOL/HHS/DOT/DHS
Secretary of State shall publish online list of federal anti-trafficking resources
Secretary of State, AG, DOL, HHS, DHS shall improve and publish prevalence estimation methodologies and establish US prevalence estimates
AG through Federal Enforcement Working Group shall improve interagency coordination on trafficker targeting and threat assessments
AG and DHS Secretary shall propose legislative/executive actions within 180 days to overcome information-sharing challenges for real-time detection of child sexual abuse material
AG, HHS, DHS shall enhance capabilities to locate missing children vulnerable to trafficking, engaging tech companies and social media
HHS shall establish internal working group with HUD to develop housing strategies for trafficking victims
AG and DHS shall partner with Education and state/local/tribal law enforcement to fund prevention programs in schools

Timeline

Immediate

DPC human trafficking position established and staffed via detail from DOJ, DOL, HHS, DOT, or DHS

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

Improved prevalence estimation methodologies published
Housing options for trafficking victims expanded through HHS-HUD working group
Prevention education programs funded in schools
Enhanced capabilities to locate missing children vulnerable to trafficking

Risks & tensions

No dedicated funding appropriated; implementation explicitly 'subject to availability of appropriations'
Information-sharing proposals may conflict with encryption and privacy expectations in tech sector
Prevalence estimation methodologies are politically sensitive and methodologically contested
Coordination with 'social media companies' and 'technology industry' is voluntary/aspirational ('as appropriate')
DPC position is a single detailee—limited structural capacity
School-based prevention programs contingent on 'available appropriations'