Ivanka Trump announces grant funding for human trafficking

On 21/09/2020, Ivanka Trump joined U.S. Attorney General William Barr to announce that the Department of Justice would award more than $100 million in federal grants to combat human trafficking across the United States. The initiative allocated a total of $101.4 million to support law enforcement task forces, victim services, and efforts to investigate both sex and labor trafficking cases. A significant component of the funding focused on housing support for survivors. Approximately $35 million was designated for a new grant program aimed at providing safe and stable housing. This marked the first federal initiative specifically dedicated to housing assistance for trafficking survivors. The program supported 73 organizations across 34 states, offering short-term aid such as rent payments, utility coverage, and security deposits. The objective was to reduce the risk of re-victimization among individuals transitioning out of trafficking situations. The broader funding package also strengthened coordinated task forces that bring together federal, state, and local agencies to identify and prosecute trafficking networks. Additional grants were directed toward victim-centered services, including legal assistance, counseling, and rehabilitation programs designed to support recovery and reintegration. The announcement formed part of a wider set of anti-trafficking efforts during Ivanka Trump’s tenure as a Senior Advisor in the White House from 2017 to 2021. During this period, she supported multiple legislative measures aimed at improving prosecution tools and expanding protections for victims, including reauthorizations and updates tied to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. She also participated in initiatives encouraging private sector involvement in workforce training and employment pathways for survivors. Earlier in 2020, Ivanka Trump was involved in organizing a White House event marking the 20th anniversary of federal anti-trafficking legislation. The gathering included discussions with survivors and advocacy groups, which contributed input to policy development and program design reflected in subsequent federal actions. #HumanTrafficking #DOJ #IvankaTrump #WilliamBarr #PublicPolicy