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A consortium of over seventy religious, legal, and support entities across the US has expressed concerns regarding the withholding of $88 million in public money allocated for survivors of human trafficking.

Assistance Programs Under Threat

As stated in a unified message, the Justice Department has halted monetary aid for more than 100 support groups that help victims escape their traffickers and obtain essential services like housing, counseling, and case management.

"Permitting this money to be cut would facilitate modern slavery and put survivors’ lives at risk," the letter states. "Various communities will be without their primary support network, stranding victims with no safe emergency housing."

Call to Action

The group is pressuring legislators to encourage the administration to restore the funding to safeguard countless trafficking survivors across the country.

This appeal follows investigations that the federal government has scaled down programs to address forced labor, though representatives reject any withdrawal on human rights actions.

Consequences for Regions

• Many support groups saw their funding end starting the end of last month.
• In the absence of these funds, individuals may be denied to crucial assistance such as temporary accommodation, therapy, and advocacy.
• Exploiters could operate with impunity, increasing risks for vulnerable populations.

Official Statement

In response to questions over the frozen funds, the Justice Department clarified that funds allocated by lawmakers would be spent eventually, but added that former beneficiaries wouldn’t necessarily obtain money in the next cycle.

Subsequent funding are to be determined aligned with the government's priorities, the department said.

Longstanding Backing

The document additionally points out that Congress has overwhelmingly voted to fund these services over the last quarter-century, reinforcing the vital necessity of properly financing essential services to protect survivors and stop further abuse.