Roughly $1 million will be distributed to eight organizations that assist human trafficking victims.
Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced on Wednesday that the funding was made available through the Victims of Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation Fund, which was created by the state legislature in 2020. This year’s awards bring the total distributed for human trafficking victim services to $9.5 million since the fund’s inception.
“Working together, we can put an end to human trafficking in our State,” Fitch said. “Mississippi is blessed with many organizations, including these eight, committed to walking alongside victims on their journey to find healing. I am grateful to the Fund Committee’s dedication to ensuring these organizations have the resources they need to support these individuals as they work to rebuild their lives.”
This year’s recipients include:
- Center for Violence Prevention ($306,810.38)
- The funding will serve to enhance and expand the reach of support services throughout Mississippi and improve outcomes for human trafficking victims through their Tower residential program and the Rapid Response Team of advocates. They will continue operating the Tower Learning Center to support client group and individual activities in a trauma-informed and appropriate space for focusing on goal achievement.
- Domestic Abuse Family Shelter ($196,754.27)
- The facility will continue providing comprehensive services to victims of human trafficking in its 11-county service area and continue providing education to the community through public awareness presentations and outreach efforts to reach populations vulnerable to human trafficking.
- Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence ($167,627.27)
- The center will continue providing a comprehensive and holistic array of services to families and individuals in crisis due to human trafficking.
- They also plan to provide training on sex trafficking, trauma-informed care, and connecting survivors to program services.
- Southern Christian Services ($166,234.50)
- Southern Christian Services will continue operating Mississippi’s safe home exclusively for adolescent survivors of human trafficking, which allows young survivors to receive specialized and evidence-based therapeutic services for up to two years. They also plan to provide therapy services to secondary victims such as parents, guardians, and caregivers to create supportive relationships for primary victims.
- Mississippi Coalition Against Human Trafficking ($112,303.92)
- The center will continue growing and supporting its Independent Living Assistance Program, a program designed to promote sustainable independent living for survivors of human trafficking. They also plan to connect participants to mentoring, peer support, financial planning, resources, and follow-up case management for 12-18 months.
- Southwest Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center ($26,755.99)
- The facility provides a comprehensive array of services for both child and vulnerable adult victims of human trafficking. The award funding will be used to continue their mental health therapy program and sustain the services of the mental health therapist.
- Hope Community Collective ($8,000)
- The money will fund groceries, clothing, and hygiene items from the Hope Closet; document replacement fees; emergency needs such as bedding; appointment transportation; and pre-paid cell phone access to maintain safety and communication for the victims they serve.
- Sunnybrook Children’s Home ($5,002)
- The facility will continue its collaboration with Southern Christian Services and the Mississippi Coalition Against Human Trafficking in providing a safe home for adolescent survivors of human trafficking.
The legislative appropriation of $2.5 million for the fund passed during the 2025 special legislative session was vetoed by Gov. Tate Reeves. As a result, only partial funding for approved projects is being allocated at this time using money available primarily from criminal assessments. Should additional appropriations become available through the upcoming session, additional awards may be announced. Lawmakers will gavel back in to the state capitol on Jan. 6, 2026.
