Executive Summary
- Attorney General Lynn Fitch awarded nearly $1 million to eight Mississippi organizations aiding trafficking victims.
- The funding cycle was impacted by a gubernatorial veto of a $2.5 million legislative appropriation.
- Total distributions from the Victims of Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation Fund have reached $9.5 million.
- Current grants are primarily funded through criminal assessments rather than direct state appropriations.
- Requests for funding totaled nearly $5 million, indicating a significant gap between need and available resources.
JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced on Wednesday that eight organizations have been awarded nearly $1 million in grants to support services for victims of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. The funds are intended to bolster trauma-informed care, safe housing, advocacy, and long-term support systems statewide.
According to the Attorney General’s office, these grants represent the fourth round of distributions from the Victims of Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation Fund, which was established by the Mississippi Legislature in 2020. With this latest allocation, the total amount distributed by the fund has reached $9.5 million. Fitch stated in a press release that the resources are designed to help victims transition into survivors. "Working together, we can put an end to human trafficking in our state," Fitch said, expressing gratitude to the fund committee for their efforts.
Officials reported that the fund received 16 applications requesting a total of nearly $5 million during this cycle. However, the committee was only able to award partial funding for approved projects. This limitation arose after a $2.5 million legislative appropriation, passed during the 2025 special legislative session, was vetoed by the governor. Consequently, the current awards are primarily funded through assessments tied to criminal convictions. The Attorney General’s office noted that additional awards could be announced if further appropriations become available during the 2026 legislative session.
The recipients of the grants include the Center for Violence Prevention, which received the largest award of $306,810 to enhance its Tower residential program and rapid response team. Other significant beneficiaries include the Domestic Abuse Family Shelter ($196,754) for comprehensive services across 11 counties, and the Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence ($167,627) for holistic support and training. Smaller grants were allocated to the Southern Christian Services, the Mississippi Coalition Against Human Trafficking, the Southwest Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center, the Hope Community Collective, and the Sunnybrook Children’s Home to support specific therapeutic, housing, and emergency needs.
Fiscal Sustainability and Policy Impact
The disparity between the $5 million in requested funds and the nearly $1 million awarded highlights a significant resource gap in Mississippi’s strategy to combat human trafficking. The reliance on criminal assessments following the executive veto of the $2.5 million appropriation underscores the volatility of funding streams for victim services. While the fund has successfully distributed $9.5 million since its inception, the current fiscal constraints suggest that service providers may face challenges in meeting the demand for support without consistent legislative backing. The potential for future awards now hinges on the 2026 legislative session and the state’s ability to secure stable appropriations to supplement conviction-based revenue.
