The Department of Justice will make $65 million in grants available to help human trafficking victims in West Virginia, announced Bill Powell, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia.

Funded by the Office of Justice Programs, which provides financial support for public safety and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions, the money will be earmarked for both adults and children who have been victims of human trafficking, in addition to helping combat human trafficking across the country.

“Human trafficking is the lowest of crimes, preying on some of the world’s most vulnerable in a horrendous way,” Powell said in a statement. “Our efforts to combat this issue in the Mountain State are vital to the safety of those who live here and those who visit. This funding will help keep people safe and preserve their basic human rights.”

Human trafficking is a widespread problem across the world. In 2016, more than 4 million people — adults and children — were victims of sex trafficking globally.

Though the State Department releases a human trafficking report annually, it does not provide specific figures sex trafficking. However, USA Today reports that the estimates place the number of victims in the hundreds of thousands.

“Our nation is facing difficult challenges, none more pressing than the scourge of human trafficking,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “Human traffickers pose a dire threat to public safety and countering this threat remains one of the Administration’s top domestic priorities.”

Traffickers are also adapting to use new technologies to do business, including using social media platforms to recruit and advertise their victims.

Human trafficking can affect anyone from any background, but it disproportionately affects women, children, girls in foster care, and other vulnerable populations.

“The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight against this insidious crime,” Sullivan said. “OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”

The Office of Justice Programs operates a number of programs, including those that support human trafficking task forces and services for human trafficking survivors. These programs include the Missing and Exploited Children Training and Technical Assistance Program, Preventing Trafficking of Girls, and Services for Victims of Human Trafficking program, among others. All of these programs will have access to substantial funding grants to help survivors and combat trafficking.

Human Trafficking Lawsuits

A growing number of human trafficking victims are turning to litigation, filing lawsuits against organizations or companies that may have facilitated their trafficking, such as hotels, truck stops, and others.

If you were a victim of sex trafficking and were forced to work at a truck stop, or another venue like a hotel or motel, you may be able to file a civil lawsuit and pursue compensation. Filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by human trafficking, but it may offer some kind of compensation, as well as hold those responsible accountable.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

Victims of human trafficking, or those who have witnessed signs of human trafficking, can call the Human Trafficking Hotline to report what they know or to seek help.

If you were a victim of sex trafficking and forced to work at a truck stop, hotel or motel, night club or other hotel venue, you may be eligible to move forward with a civil investigation against these businesses. This investigation involves a civil case, and is not a criminal case against you or your loved ones.

Top Class Actions is working with experienced human trafficking attorneys who will be informed and sensitive to your situation. Join the fight by filling out the short form on this page. 

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