Success! Trafficking survivor funds are finally released!

After months of pressure from advocates, the U.S. Department of Justice has opened the long-delayed funding process for trafficking survivor services, unlocking $88 million appropriated by Congress for trafficking victim service grants.

In 2025, the DOJ’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) did not release funds already appropriated for trafficking survivor support, delaying the funding process for more than 100 organizations and putting over 3,000 survivors of human trafficking at risk of losing essential services like shelter, legal help, counseling, and case management.

With existing funds running out for most organizations on October 1, Freedom United in partnership with Freedom Network USA launched our campaign ahead of the funding deadline, urging the DOJ to release the funds immediately and provide temporary financial support to cover any gaps.

Our community answered the call—thousands of supporters around the world sent messages to the DOJ and OVC and urged them to release the funds. And they heard us. On December 30, the funds were finally released. However, temporary funding was not provided, meaning some survivor-serving organizations likely experienced gaps in funding after the deadline passed. It is evident that continued public vigilance and pressure is essential to ensuring survivors are not overlooked.

We are grateful to everyone who took action and stood with trafficking survivors!