JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – A new round of grant money is targeting human trafficking in Mississippi as reports of the crime have climbed in the last five years.
Area activists and police say what needs more focus is the timeframe after survivors are rescued. Money is needed to support and mentor victims to find housing, jobs and healthcare. This can take years to achieve after victims face years of abuse.
Grant funding and survivor support
This month, the Mississippi Coalition Against Human Trafficking received $161,608.08 from the state Attorney General’s Office for their Independent Living Assistance Program.
“I’ve had folks that I’ve worked with previously who have been murdered, been killed because the assistance did not come soon enough in their lives,” said Amanda Dollar, Executive Director of the Mississippi Coalition Against Human Trafficking. “Then we do have a huge setback in our state.”…