Hope for justices training, outreach and advocacy will contribute to the increased safety, wellbeing, and self-sufficiency of people experiencing labor and other forms of trafficking in underserved,…

The Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs awarded a $439,991 Project Grant under the Services for Trafficking Victims program (CFDA 16.320) to Hope For Justice, Inc. in Knoxville, Tennessee. The grant will fund training, outreach, and victim advocacy initiatives to increase the safety, well-being, and self-sufficiency of people experiencing labor and other forms of trafficking in underserved, vulnerable young adult populations in Middle Tennessee. Project activities will include providing basic and specialized training on victim identification and trafficking to first responders, service providers, and community stakeholders. The grant will also support the organization's victim advocacy program to deliver emergency supportive services and personal advocacy to recently freed survivors, including access to life skills, mentoring, and family reunification assistance. The project period is 3 years, from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2026.

Hope for justices training, outreach and advocacy will contribute to the increased safety, wellbeing, and self-sufficiency of people experiencing labor and other forms of trafficking in underserved, vulnerable young adult populations in middle tennessee. Project activities will include training, outreach, and victim advocacy. Hope for justice will provide basic training for first responders, service providers, and community stakeholders on victim identification, and all forms of trafficking through a bespoke learning management system. Additionally, they will provide higher-level training on specialized topics including sexual assault nurse examiner training. The victim advocacy program will address emergency supportive services for survivors who recently severed from the exploitation. Personal advocacy will be offered for survivors to ensure they can access their entitlements and public service and exercise their rights (including access to justice, life skills training, mentoring, and family reunification support).