Department of Justice Awards $9.5 Million to Combat Sex and Labor Trafficking of Citizens, Foreign Nationals

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Justice awarded 23 grants totaling more than $9.5 million to address sex and labor trafficking of U.S. citizens and foreign nationals.

The grants, administered jointly by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), both within the Office of Justice Programs, will fund law enforcement agencies and victim services organizations to maintain anti-trafficking programs designed to identify, rescue, and assist victims of human trafficking.  BJA's funds will support proactive law enforcement investigations in coordination with local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Attorneys Offices.  OVC's funds will provide trauma-informed and culturally competent services to victims, including emergency shelter, mental health services, and legal assistance.  Funds from both offices will also support professional partnerships, training, and public outreach and awareness activities designed to strengthen a community's response to human trafficking. 

A list of the 23 grantees is available at: http://www.ojp.gov/funding/FY2011_awards_solicitation.htm.

More information about OVC, its resources for crime victims, and its funding for victim assistance and compensation programs is available at: www.ovc.gov/.

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP), headed by Assistant Attorney General Laurie O. Robinson, provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist victims.  OJP has six components:  the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; Office for Victims of Crime; and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking.  More information about OJP can be found at www.ojp.gov.

SOURCE Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs

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