Trump gives $35M to aid human trafficking victims

This week the Trump Administration took another step to fulfill its promise to eradicate human trafficking and support victims.

Senior Advisor Ivanka Trump joined Attorney General Bill Barr at a roundtable to announce more than $35 million in grants to over 70 organizations across the country.

The recipient organizations provide short-term housing to trafficking survivors and cover the cost of utilities and related housing expenses.

In addition, the grants can be used to assist victims in their search for a permanent home, employment, or counseling.

Ivanka highlighted the need for these grants as stay-at-home orders put victims in unstable situations for extended periods of time. She tweeted, “The coronavirus pandemic has made safe and supportive housing for survivors more important than ever.”

With nearly 25 million people exploited through trafficking, the Trump Administration is utilizing every resource at its disposal to combat this criminal activity.

Members of this Administration have condemned traffickers and continue to support policies that uplift survivors.

The Associated Press reported:

Barr called human trafficking an “evil scourge,” and he thanked President Donald Trump and his daughter Ivanka for working to end human trafficking and help survivors. Beyond the financial support, Barr said his department will do everything possible to “investigate, prosecute and punish” traffickers.

Ivanka Trump called human trafficking the “gravest of human rights violations.” She said the event was a “celebration” of the work by the administration and the participants to confront trafficking, as well as an opportunity to hear victims tell their personal stories.

Later in the program, Barr became emotional and partly covered his face with a hand as those stories were being told.

Earlier this year, President Trump said that he is 100 percent committed to the cause and eliminating this form of modern-day slavery has been a top priority of his Administration.