Building Capacity to Provide Comprehensive Services in Abilene

The goal of the FY 2019 Direct Services to Support Victims of Human Trafficking Program is to enhance the quality and quantity of services available to victims of human trafficking, as defined by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, as amended. Funding through this program supports direct services to victims of sex trafficking and labor trafficking, as well as for efforts to increase the capacity of communities to respond to human trafficking through the development of interagency partnerships, professional training, and public awareness activities over a three-year project period. This award made under Purpose Area 1 to The International Rescue Committee, Inc., (IRC) in Abilene, TX will enhance the quality and quantity of services available to victims of human trafficking. This funding will allow IRC to conduct an in-depth community needs assessment and stakeholder mapping, and build internal capacity and the capacity of other local service providers to expand their delivery of comprehensive services to include victims of all forms of human trafficking from the point of identification to self-sufficiency. IRC plans and develops internal organizational capacity and that of its partners to provide comprehensive services to all identified victims of human trafficking and build the capacity of local stakeholders in the surrounding counties to be better able to report incidences of trafficking, serve victims, and refer them to key service providers. IRC Abilene serves all identified victims regardless of citizenship, form of trafficking, gender, and age through a mix of in-house service delivery and through partnerships with law enforcement, faith-based organizations, and other community organizations. CA/NCF