Mississippi included in grant to combat human trafficking

MISSISSIPPI (WCBI) – Mississippi has been included in a federal grant over $100 million to fight human trafficking and help provide services to trafficking victims.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday that the Mississippi Department of Public Safety received an $800,000 Bureau of Justice grant. The grant will help increase Mississippi’s effectiveness as a core member of collaborative, multidisciplinary human trafficking task forces.

The Mississippi State Department of Health received a $900,000 Victims of Crimes grant. This grant will allow the department to increase the quality and quantity of services available to trafficking victims.

On September 9, U.S. Attorneys Mike Hurst and Chad Lamar launched the Mississippi Human Trafficking Council.  The Council is a state-wide effort to prevent trafficking, protect victims and prosecute criminals.

For more information on the grants, click here.