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A consortium of over seventy religious, legal, and support groups across the nation has sounded warnings regarding the delaying of $88 million in public money designated for survivors of human trafficking.

Assistance Programs at Risk

Per a collective communication, the DOJ has frozen financial support for over a hundred assistance organizations that assist individuals escape their traffickers and secure necessary resources such as emergency shelter, therapy, and personalized care.

"Permitting these funds to vanish would facilitate modern slavery and endanger victims," the document warns. "Various communities will be without their primary support network, stranding victims with nowhere to turn for shelter."

Call to Action

The group is urging legislators to push the federal government to release the financial support to support thousands of victims nationwide.

This appeal is in response to reports that the national leadership has rolled back programs to combat forced labor, even as spokespersons dispute any pullback on human rights actions.

Effects on Local Areas

• Many assistance providers lost their financial backing as of the last day of September.
• In the absence of these funds, individuals may go without to essential support like temporary accommodation, therapy, and representation.
• Criminals could act without fear, endangering public safety.

Administration's Position

Regarding concerns over the delayed allocation, the DOJ clarified that public dollars would be utilized at a later time, but noted that previous grantees wouldn’t necessarily receive funding in the next cycle.

Future appropriations will be decided based on the current administration's objectives, the department explained.

Longstanding Backing

The letter additionally points out that lawmakers has consistently supported to fund these programs over the previous decades, reinforcing the essential role of adequately resourcing crucial support systems to protect survivors and prevent re-exploitation.