Success! We’ve made a difference for survivors
By Joanna Ewart-James, Freedom United
| We did it! After months of sustained pressure from the Freedom United community, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) released $88 million in funding for trafficking survivor services. This is what we can achieve when we work together .Support the movement Last year, the DOJ’s Office for Victims of Crime failed to release funds that had already been approved by Congress to support 100 trafficking survivor organizations, well past the start of the fiscal year. With grants set to expire by October 1, more than 3,000 survivors were at risk of losing access to shelter, legal aid, counseling, and case management. As delays dragged on and organizations struggled to get a response, Freedom Network USA turned to Freedom United—and our community answered the call! Beginning in September, thousands sent emails to the DOJ and the Office for Victims of Crime until the pressure became impossible to ignore. On December 30, the funds were finally released.[1] This is the kind of win that only happens because people don’t give up. Help us keep going This is a critical breakthrough. It means survivor-led and survivor-serving organizations can now apply for funds to keep their doors open and continue supporting people rebuilding their lives after exploitation. But this win also shows how fragile progress can be. The only thing that prevented lasting harm was sustained public pressure. One thing we know for sure is that progress doesn’t happen by accident—it happens because people insist on it. Freedom United exists to apply that pressure, keep watch, and make sure commitments to survivors are honored. Your support makes this work possible—and powers the next win. Power this work In solidarity, Joanna and the rest of the Freedom United team PS. Freedom United is powered by a global community of people committed to ending modern slavery and holding systems accountable when they fail to protect people. We’re able to investigate, mobilize, and apply pressure—even when it means confronting powerful interests—because we’re independently funded by people like you. If you’re able, please consider becoming a monthly donor to help keep Freedom United strong. |
 Joanna Ewart-JamesExecutive Director, Freedom United |
©2026 Freedom United is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
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