Attorney General Lynn Fitch recently revealed that a total of almost $3.9 million has been allocated from the Victims of Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation Fund. This funding will be distributed among thirteen organizations that are committed to assisting victims of human trafficking in their journey towards rebuilding their lives.
The fund, which was created by the Mississippi Legislature in 2020, has now awarded a total of $8.5 million in grants for victim services. This latest round of grants marks the third distribution from the fund.
“Few crimes rob a person of their humanity, power, and dignity like human trafficking, but we do not have to let it steal their future,” said Attorney General Fitch.
Fitch commended the nonprofit organizations in Mississippi for their dedication in supporting and guiding victims throughout their path to recovery and renewal.
“We can put an end to the dangerous human trafficking enterprise by working together,” she emphasized, expressing gratitude to the State Legislature for providing the essential resources needed to assist survivors.”
This year, a total of 17 funding applications were submitted, with a collective request for $6.8 million. Out of these, the grants will be awarded to thirteen organizations. The selected organizations will utilize the funds to provide various essential services for survivors, including housing, legal assistance, transportation, mental health support, and workforce development programs.
Key Recipients and Initiatives:
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- Center for Violence Prevention ($932,019.35) – Expanding the Tower residential program and the Rapid Response Team to provide 24/7 crisis intervention and rehabilitation services.
- Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence ($560,000.00) – Developing Mississippi’s first Family Justice Center model, a one-stop service hub for trafficking victims that will integrate law enforcement, court services, and advocacy groups.
- Southern Christian Services ($739,500.00) – Continuing to operate Mississippi’s only safe home for adolescent trafficking survivors, offering long-term therapeutic care.
- Mississippi Coalition Against Human Trafficking ($366,560.00) – Expanding its Independent Living Assistance Program, which has already impacted 80 women in Mississippi, and hiring additional program staff to assist survivors in South Mississippi.
- Hope Village for Children ($296,920.00) – Launching a specialized residential treatment program for minor female victims of trafficking, focusing on mental health, education, and workforce preparation.
- El Pueblo ($104,284.21) – Providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services for victims, with a focus on outreach to Hispanic communities and long-term recovery support.
- On the Road Lending ($200,000.00) – Assisting survivors in achieving financial independence by providing reliable vehicles and financial coaching.
Mississippi is taking proactive steps to ensure that victims receive comprehensive care and resources to reclaim their lives, as these grants aim to empower survivors, disrupt trafficking networks, and build a statewide infrastructure for victim support. Fitch emphasized the importance of these efforts in providing the necessary support and empowerment to survivors of trafficking.
