Labor trafficking

On Wednesday, August 26, 2020, Office for Victims of Crime Director Jessica E. Hart spoke at the FY 2019 Enhanced Collaborative Model Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking Grantee Orientation.

In her remarks, Director Hart addresses the challenges faced by human trafficking task forces to identify and serve victims during the pandemic and highlights the commitment by the Trump Administration and the Department of Justice...

Good afternoon, everyone! Domingo [Herraiz], thank you for that introduction and to the IACP for hosting today’s event and inviting me to be here with you today.

I’m so honored to be joining you all here on day 2 of this training. As you all know combating human trafficking is a top priority for the Office for Victims of Crime, the Department of Justice, and...

Thank you, Darlene [Hutchinson]. On behalf of Director Jessica Hart and the entire Office for Victims of Crime, it’s a privilege to join you and your fellow Alabamians today.

I want to take this opportunity to give a big shout-out to Darlene for all the incredible work she has done on behalf of crime victims in Alabama over the course of her career. I know...

COVID-19 has impacted nearly every aspect of life for Americans, and this is especially true for those working on the frontlines with victims of human trafficking. On Thursday, August 20, 2020, Director Hart visited two grantees, Survivor Ventures and Samaritan House, to hear how they are continuing to provide transitional housing services to human trafficking survivors during a pandemic that is stretching resources and presenting...

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act recognizes the importance of holding traffickers criminally accountable, protecting victims, and preventing victimization from occurring in the first place.

As the leader of the Department of Justice’s response efforts to combat human trafficking, the Office for Victims of Crime is pleased to announce the launch of an art initiative—Represent Resilience: Learning from Yesterday, Building a Stronger Tomorrow—to commemorate...

Attorney General William P. Barr, Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katie Sullivan, and Office for Victims of Crime Director Jessica Hart announced $35,104,338 in funding to 73 organizations in 34 states to provide safe, stable housing and appropriate services to victims of human trafficking.  Attorney General Barr made the announcement during a roundtable at which grantees and survivors highlighted the...

The Office for Victims of Crime is the largest federal funder of efforts to combat domestic human trafficking. Combating human trafficking is a top priority for the Administration, for the Department of Justice, and for the Office for Victims of Crime.

Watch this video message from Office for Victims of Crime Director Jessica E. Hart about a recent consolidation of law enforcement, juvenile justice, and...

Each May we pause and pay tribute to the local, Tribal, state, and federal law enforcement officers who have devoted their lives to safeguarding our own. Attorney General William P. Barr asks all Americans this week “to join me in saying ‘thank you’ to our nation’s federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement officers. Their devotion and sacrifice to our peace and security will not...

OVC announces the release of the OVC FY 2020 Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Human Trafficking solicitation.

The program will support—

1. transitional housing, including funding for the operating expenses of a newly developed or existing transitional housing program; and


2. short-term housing assistance, including rental or utilities payment assistance and assistance with related expenses.

Projects must also include support services designed to enable victims of...

Every January, our nation commemorates National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

This year, OVC celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, which established the importance of holding traffickers criminally accountable, protecting victims, and preventing victimization from occurring in the first place. Learn more about some of OVC's work in supporting anti-trafficking professionals over the past 20 years.

Since the Trafficking Victims...

OVC recently announced the release of the new Understanding Human Trafficking training at the Human Trafficking Grantee Meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

OVC invites victim service providers, allied professionals, and interested members of the general public to register for this new training, a series of five interactive online modules that offer foundational learning on trauma-informed and victim-centered approaches to human trafficking.

The Understanding Human Trafficking...

Apply for the OJP FY 2020 Enhanced Collaborative Model Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking solicitation.

OVC and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) are seeking applications to develop or support multidisciplinary task forces to combat human trafficking. This program has two purpose areas:

Purpose Area 1: Development of Human Trafficking Task Forces: will support human trafficking task forces that have recently formed and are...

Apply for the OVC FY 2020 Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking solicitation.

OVC is seeking applications for states or Tribes to develop, enhance, and coordinate programs and activities geared toward improving outcomes for child and youth victims of sex and labor trafficking. The overall goal of the program is to improve responses for child and youth victims of trafficking with...

Apply for the OVC FY 2020 Specialized Training and Technical Assistance on Housing for Victims of Human Trafficking solicitation.

The purpose of this program is to develop, expand, or strengthen victim service programs for victims of human trafficking by supporting the delivery of specialized training and technical assistance to victim service-providing agencies and organizations to enhance their ability to provide appropriate housing for victims of...

Apply for the OVC FY 2020 Services for Victims of Human Trafficking solicitation.

The purpose of this program is to develop, expand, or strengthen victim service programs for victims of human trafficking.

Applicants are invited to apply under the following three purpose areas.

Purpose Area 1: Developing Capacity to Serve Human Trafficking Victims
Under Purpose Area 1, up to 10 awards of up to $350,000...

"Over the last few weeks, I’ve heard from many of you in the field that COVID–19 is stretching your resources and presenting challenges to your ability to conduct victim outreach and care," states OVC Director Jessica E. Hart. "Starting with the White House, the COVID-19 response is a whole-of-government effort, and I thought it would be useful to provide a round-up of COVID-19-related...