Blumenthal, Kirk Introduce Human Exploitation Rescue Operative (HERO) Act of 2015 to Continue Program That Serves Wounded Veterans and Fights Against Child Exploitation

(Washington, DC) – Today, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the Senate Veteran’s Affairs Committee, and Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) introduced legislation to ensure continued funding for Human Exploitation Rescue Operative (HERO) Corps program, which recruits wounded, injured, and ill service members and provides them with training in high-tech computer forensics and law enforcement skills to help fight global child sexual exploitation. Senator Blumenthal offered the HERO Act as an amendment to the Victims of Trafficking Act this morning during Senate Judiciary Committee markup of the bill where it was accepted by voice vote.

"Approval of the HERO Act amendment by the Judiciary Committee is a big step toward enabling wounded warriors and law enforcement to stop crimes victimizing children. This programs puts veterans to work as investigators-- aiding law enforcement in combating child trafficking-- by giving them forensic training and other skills. Veterans have the tenacity, perseverance and dedication to public service that makes them tremendously adept at investigating these crimes and saving children,” said Blumenthal.

“Wounded veterans often feel that an opportunity to continue serving their country not only allows them to keep a sense of purpose in their life—it reminds them that what they have lost is not as important as the incredible character and tenacity they retain. The HERO Corps Program is an effort to tap that incredible desire to serve and to use that desire to stamp out the scourge of child pornography and online sexual exploitation.”

“The HERO Act would put veterans on the front lines of combatting modern-day slavery,” Senator Kirk said. “These dedicated Americans are committed to defending and protecting our country, and this new training will provide them even more opportunity to continue that service.”

The HERO Corps Program has already proved successful and graduated two classes; thirteen of fifteen graduates are now employed by the Department of Homeland Security as Computer Forensic Analysts, and the second class is currently in the internship stage of training.

The HERO Act of 2015 re-authorizes the current HERO Corp Program, as well as enables the Department of Homeland Security—through ICE and HSI—to collaborate with the Department of Defense and the National Association to Protect Children—a national non-profit that developed this program and has been helping to manage it. Additionally, it would allow DHS and ICE to conduct research and development for the purpose of advancing technology for the investigation of child exploitation crimes, including child victim identification, counter-trafficking in persons, child pornography, and advanced forensics.