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A consortium of 74 religious, legal, and support entities across the US has expressed concerns regarding the freezing of $88m in government funds designated for individuals escaping forced labor.

Support Systems at Risk

According to a collective communication, the DOJ has frozen monetary aid for more than 100 assistance organizations that assist individuals escape their traffickers and secure crucial support such as housing, counseling, and case management.

"Allowing such resources to vanish would facilitate modern slavery and threaten lives," the communication emphasizes. "Many regions will be without their sole assistance organization, abandoning individuals with insecure living conditions."

Call to Action

The alliance is urging legislators to push the federal government to restore the funding to support countless trafficking survivors throughout the US.

This plea comes after investigations that the federal government has rolled back programs to combat human trafficking, though officials reject any pullback on anti-trafficking policies.

Impact on Communities

• Many support groups lost their financial backing as of the final day of the previous month.
• Lacking financial support, survivors may lose access to essential support like temporary accommodation, mental health care, and advocacy.
• Exploiters could act without fear, endangering public safety.

Administration's Position

In response to concerns over the withheld money, the department stated that funds allocated by lawmakers would be utilized at a later time, but added that past recipients may not get financial support in the future.

Subsequent funding are to be determined in accordance with the government's goals, the agency explained.

Historical Support

The communication further notes that the legislative branch has consistently supported to fund these programs over the previous decades, underscoring the essential role of fully funding lifesaving programs to protect survivors and avoid repeat victimization.