Columbia, South Carolina – South Carolina has started a new $6.5 million grant program in a major step towards stopping human trafficking among juvenile victims. Announced by Attorney General Alan Wilson, who also oversees the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force, this program seeks to provide essential resources for the growth and implementation of specific residential services for children and teenagers affected by trafficking.
Approved by the General Assembly as a one-time grant, the money fills a significant void in the state’s capacity to assist young victims of both sex and labor trafficking.
“South Carolina lacks adequate resources to support minor victims of both sex trafficking and labor trafficking,” Attorney General Wilson said in a release. “The $6.5 million grant program is the first step in ensuring that children receive the services they need to recover from their victimization.”
The process to secure a portion of this funding began with the Task Force posting a Request for Intent Application on its official website. Interested non-profits and state agencies that specialize in working with trafficked minors are encouraged to submit their applications by the deadline on February 14th at 5 PM.
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Task Force Director Kathryn Moorehead highlighted the importance of the initiative.
“We encourage non-profits and state agencies with the capacity to work with minor victims to apply for the funding,” said Task Force Director Kathryn Moorehead. “These children are incredibly vulnerable and need programs that can provide an array of services to treat trauma, substance use disorders, and physical injuries.”
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The funding program is a reaction to the growing recognition of the need for focused support programs for this group, which has usually been underserved. South Carolina wants to make major progress in rebuilding the lives of young people affected by the terrible reality of human trafficking by strengthening the state’s ability to care for these individuals.
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Organizations can visit humantrafficking.scag.gov to get more information on the grant or application process. The National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 can also be reached by those wishing to document cases of trafficking or search for victim-oriented services. Available 24/7, this hotline provides private support to make sure people in need always have help at hand.
