Anti-Trafficking Coalitions Caution Funding Suspension May Enable Modern Slavery

An alliance of seventy-four advocacy, legal, and faith-based organizations across the nation has raised alarms regarding the withholding of $88 million in federal funding allocated for victims of modern slavery.

Services Under Threat

Per a joint letter, the US Department of Justice has halted financial support for over a hundred assistance organizations that assist individuals leave abusive situations and obtain crucial support such as housing, counseling, and case management.

"Letting these funds to vanish would facilitate modern slavery and put survivors’ lives at risk," the document warns. "Many regions will lack their only service provider, abandoning individuals with nowhere to turn for shelter."

Call to Action

The coalition is urging legislators to encourage the executive branch to reinstate the funding to support countless affected individuals nationwide.

This plea comes after reports that the federal government has reduced initiatives to fight forced labor, even as officials reject any retreat on human rights policies.

Consequences for Regions

• Several support groups lost their financial backing effective the last day of September.
• In the absence of these funds, survivors may be denied to lifesaving services such as emergency housing, mental health care, and legal aid.
• Traffickers could operate with impunity, endangering public safety.

Government Response

Regarding questions over the delayed allocation, the department indicated that funds allocated by lawmakers would be utilized at a later time, but noted that former beneficiaries might not receive funding in the future.

Future appropriations will be decided in accordance with the government's priorities, the agency commented.

Historical Support

The communication additionally points out that the legislative branch has overwhelmingly voted to fund these services over the previous decades, underscoring the vital necessity of fully funding crucial support systems to safeguard victims and avoid repeat victimization.