Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced that starting today, Sept. 18, applications for funding from the Victims of Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation Fund are available through the Office of the Attorney General and service providers are welcome to begin the application process.
“We cannot defeat a criminal enterprise as big as human trafficking without the participation and support of everyone, every day,” said Fitch. “Earlier this year, thanks to a generous appropriation from the Mississippi Legislature, we proudly distributed $2.5 million to nine organizations throughout Mississippi that serve the victims of human trafficking. But we received application requests for nearly three times that amount. I am pleased to announce that the Legislature has appropriated another $2.5 million, and organizations that are helping human trafficking victims recover and heal are invited to apply. Applications must be received by Oct. 30.”
Originally created during the 2020 Legislative Session to provide funding to direct service providers for trafficking victims in Mississippi, the Fund is managed by a seven-member committee, including appointments by the Attorney General, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, and Commissioner of Child Protection Services, and one representative of a services provider. The Fund is administered by the Attorney General’s Office. By statute, funding comes from assessments for convictions of certain crimes, donations, and legislative appropriations.
