Human Rights Organizations Caution Funding Hold Might Promote Modern Slavery
A consortium of over seventy religious, legal, and support entities across the nation has sounded warnings regarding the freezing of $88m in federal funding allocated for individuals escaping forced labor.
Support Systems at Risk
Per a collective communication, the DOJ has suspended financial support for more than 100 assistance organizations that aid survivors break free from exploiters and access essential services such as emergency shelter, therapy, and personalized care.
"Permitting these funds to vanish would enable human trafficking and endanger victims," the communication emphasizes. "Various communities will lose their only service provider, abandoning individuals with no safe emergency housing."
Appeal for Intervention
The coalition is urging Congress to encourage the federal government to reinstate the financial support to protect countless trafficking survivors throughout the US.
This plea is in response to reports that the national leadership has rolled back efforts to fight modern slavery, though spokespersons dispute any pullback on victim support actions.
Impact on Communities
- Numerous service organizations had their resources cut as of the final day of the previous month.
- In the absence of these funds, survivors may go without to lifesaving services including safe shelter, counseling, and legal aid.
- Traffickers could exploit freely, making communities less safe.
Government Response
Regarding questions over the frozen funds, the department indicated that public dollars would be spent eventually, but emphasized that former beneficiaries wouldn’t necessarily get financial support in the future.
Subsequent funding are to be determined based on the current administration's priorities, the office explained.
Historical Support
The communication further notes that Congress has repeatedly approved to fund such initiatives over the last quarter-century, reinforcing the critical importance of properly financing essential services to assist individuals and stop further abuse.
