Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced the distribution of nearly $1 million from the Victims of Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation Fund to eight organizations that help human trafficking victims become survivors. This is the fourth round of grants from the Fund since the Mississippi Legislature created it in the 2020 Legislative Session. This year’s awards bring the total distributed for human trafficking victim services to $9.5 million.
"Working together, we can put an end to human trafficking in our State,” said Attorney General Lynn Fitch. “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."
More information on the application and solicitation, Fund rules, and other information related to this distribution and the Fund in general can be found on the Attorney General’s Office website. In total, the Fund received 16 applications during this funding period, with projects totaling nearly $5 million.
Recipients of 2025 Victims of Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation Fund
Center for Violence Prevention, which received $306,810.38, will 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, which received $196,754.27, will continue providing comprehensive services to victims of human trafficking in their 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, which received $167,627.27, 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 trainings on sex trafficking, trauma-informed care, and connecting survivors to program services.
Hope Community Collective, which received $8,000.00, 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.
Mississippi Coalition Against Human Trafficking, which received $112,303.92, will continue growing and supporting their Independent Living Assistance Program (ILA), 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.
Southern Christian Services, which received $166,234.50, 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 care givers to create supportive relationships for primary victims.
Southwest Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center, which received $26,755.99, 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.
Sunnybrook Children’s Home, which received $5,002.00, will continue their collaboration with Southern Christian Services and the Mississippi Coalition Against Human Trafficking in providing a safe home for adolescent survivors of human trafficking.
The Legislature created the Victims of Human Trafficking and Commercial
Sexual Exploitation Fund through HB 1559 during the 2020 Legislative Session
to provide funding to direct service providers for trafficking victims throughout
Mississippi. By statute, funding comes from assessments for convictions of
certain crimes, donations, and legislative appropriations.
The legislative appropriation of $2.5 million passed during the 2025 Special Legislative Session was vetoed by the Governor. As a result, the Committee is only awarding partial funding for approved projects at this time using funding available primarily from criminal assessments. Should additional appropriations become available through the 2026 Legislative Session, additional awards may be announced.
