Persons who have been subjected to a “severe form of trafficking in persons,” as defined in 22 U.S.C. § 7102(11).
(A) sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age; or
(B) the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.
An individual does not need to currently be in a trafficking situation to be eligible for victim services, or have recently exited their trafficking situation. Grantees should remove barriers that prevent individuals currently experiencing trafficking from accessing services, such as policies related to sobriety, engagement in commercial sex, etc.
OVC acknowledges that the amount of time and the process for determining if a person meets the definition of a victim of human trafficking may differ for every client and situation. OVC considers an individual to be a “potential” when the grantee has reason to believe that the person is or might be a trafficking victim and is providing support or services tailored to that individual. This may occur at an initial intake or screening interview, or upon completion of victim needs assessment.
When the information needed to determine eligibility is not immediately available, and the person is not clearly ineligible, a grantee may use OVC funds for a reasonable period of time to provide services until sufficient information to make a determination has been gathered and a determination has been made. If the client is not eligible, they should be referred to other appropriate services and providers.
Persons who have been subjected to a “severe form of trafficking in persons,” as defined in 22 U.S.C. § 7102(11).
(A) sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age; or
(B) the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.
An individual does not need to currently be in a trafficking situation to be eligible for victim services, or have recently exited their trafficking situation. Grantees should remove barriers that prevent individuals currently experiencing trafficking from accessing services, such as policies related to sobriety, engagement in commercial sex, etc.
OVC acknowledges that the amount of time and the process for determining if a person meets the definition of a victim of human trafficking may differ for every client and situation. OVC considers an individual to be a “potential” when the grantee has reason to believe that the person is or might be a trafficking victim and is providing support or services tailored to that individual. This may occur at an initial intake or screening interview, or upon completion of victim needs assessment.
When the information needed to determine eligibility is not immediately available, and the person is not clearly ineligible, a grantee may use OVC funds for a reasonable period of time to provide services until sufficient information to make a determination has been gathered and a determination has been made. If the client is not eligible, they should be referred to other appropriate services and providers.
Your notice of funding opportunity will outline client eligibility and any specific age range limitations, if any exist.
Your notice of funding opportunity will outline client eligibility and any specific age range limitations, if any exist.
Yes. OVC encourages grantees to coordinate their efforts with other similar OVC-direct funded human trafficking programs within the relevant jurisdiction to enhance the projects and avoid duplication of efforts. Grantees are expected to work together to determine whether OVC discretionary award funds have been, are being, or are to be used (in whole or in part) for one or more of the identical services for the same person or family member (cost items) included in the each of their grant award budgets.
If duplicative costs and services are identified, each grantee must notify their OVC grant manager(s) in writing of the potential duplication and, if requested by OVC, submit a Financial or Programmatic GAM to eliminate any inappropriate duplication of funding.
Yes. OVC encourages grantees to coordinate their efforts with other similar OVC-direct funded human trafficking programs within the relevant jurisdiction to enhance the projects and avoid duplication of efforts. Grantees are expected to work together to determine whether OVC discretionary award funds have been, are being, or are to be used (in whole or in part) for one or more of the identical services for the same person or family member (cost items) included in the each of their grant award budgets.
If duplicative costs and services are identified, each grantee must notify their OVC grant manager(s) in writing of the potential duplication and, if requested by OVC, submit a Financial or Programmatic GAM to eliminate any inappropriate duplication of funding.
Yes. As long as there is no duplication in costs or activities, OVC funds may be used to provide services to a client who is already receiving services through another federal funding stream. For example, an OVC grantee could provide legal services to an individual client receiving housing services funded through a different federal award. However, please consult requirements for other funding sources, as they may differ.
Yes. As long as there is no duplication in costs or activities, OVC funds may be used to provide services to a client who is already receiving services through another federal funding stream. For example, an OVC grantee could provide legal services to an individual client receiving housing services funded through a different federal award. However, please consult requirements for other funding sources, as they may differ.
Please refer to the notice of funding opportunity your award was funded under for program-specific requirements.
Human trafficking is a crime that impacts not only the victim, but also the victim’s family. Providers must work with each client to understand his or her individual situation and develop appropriate goals regarding family members. Grant funds for services are intended primarily to support the cost of direct services for victims of human trafficking. Where the services for family members are directly related to promoting justice and healing for trafficking survivors, they are potentially allowable.
Every effort must be made to refer family members to other free and low-cost services, and to assist them in accessing federal, state, or local programs for which they may be eligible, including Medicaid, TANF, subsidized or transitional housing programs, schools, and workforce development and employment programs. Please contact your grant manager with specific questions related to using grant-funding for services for family members.
Per OVC’s human trafficking victim assistance performance measures, the definition of an eligible family member is: A related family member of the principal individual that receives services under the given grant. These individuals are not counted as the principal individual clients for the purpose of reports, and services incurred will be counted separately. For minors, eligible family members may include parents, spouse, children, and unmarried siblings under 21. For adults, eligible family members include spouse and children.
Please refer to the notice of funding opportunity your award was funded under for program-specific requirements.
Human trafficking is a crime that impacts not only the victim, but also the victim’s family. Providers must work with each client to understand his or her individual situation and develop appropriate goals regarding family members. Grant funds for services are intended primarily to support the cost of direct services for victims of human trafficking. Where the services for family members are directly related to promoting justice and healing for trafficking survivors, they are potentially allowable.
Every effort must be made to refer family members to other free and low-cost services, and to assist them in accessing federal, state, or local programs for which they may be eligible, including Medicaid, TANF, subsidized or transitional housing programs, schools, and workforce development and employment programs. Please contact your grant manager with specific questions related to using grant-funding for services for family members.
Per OVC’s human trafficking victim assistance performance measures, the definition of an eligible family member is: A related family member of the principal individual that receives services under the given grant. These individuals are not counted as the principal individual clients for the purpose of reports, and services incurred will be counted separately. For minors, eligible family members may include parents, spouse, children, and unmarried siblings under 21. For adults, eligible family members include spouse and children.
Grantees that serve all human trafficking victims within a geographic service area may also serve victims from outside of that area, with written approval from the OVC grant manager, if the grantee determines that it has the capacity to serve the victim and no other OVC-funded grantee is available to serve the victim. Grantees planning to permanently expand their service area must submit a Grant Award Modification (GAM) for a change in project scope.
Grantees that serve all human trafficking victims within a geographic service area may also serve victims from outside of that area, with written approval from the OVC grant manager, if the grantee determines that it has the capacity to serve the victim and no other OVC-funded grantee is available to serve the victim. Grantees planning to permanently expand their service area must submit a Grant Award Modification (GAM) for a change in project scope.
Yes. As long as the client is a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons who currently resides in the United States, they are eligible to receive services.
Yes. As long as the client is a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons who currently resides in the United States, they are eligible to receive services.
Grantees are able to serve all human trafficking victims, regardless of when the client experienced trafficking, subject to the specific parameters detailed in their award funding opportunity.
Grantees are able to serve all human trafficking victims, regardless of when the client experienced trafficking, subject to the specific parameters detailed in their award funding opportunity.
Yes. Clients are never required to self-identify as a victim and services should not be contingent upon self-identification. If the grantee determines, in good faith, that the client is a victim of human trafficking, services may be provided.
Yes. Clients are never required to self-identify as a victim and services should not be contingent upon self-identification. If the grantee determines, in good faith, that the client is a victim of human trafficking, services may be provided.
Grantee program staff should record the date(s) when the eligibility requirement is met on the intake form, case management system, or the equivalent. This documentation should be maintained in the case file to demonstrate the completion and outcome of screening for OVC program eligibility for each client served. Specific details of the person’s human trafficking experience are not necessary and generally should not be kept in the file maintained by the case manager or other staff.
Grantee program staff should record the date(s) when the eligibility requirement is met on the intake form, case management system, or the equivalent. This documentation should be maintained in the case file to demonstrate the completion and outcome of screening for OVC program eligibility for each client served. Specific details of the person’s human trafficking experience are not necessary and generally should not be kept in the file maintained by the case manager or other staff.
Grantees should have policies and procedures in place to ensure that staff working directly with clients receive adequate training, support, and supervision. OVC requires that key staff, including case managers, must have prior victim service experience or be under the direct supervision of a senior case manager or project director with such experience. OVC recommends that case managers receive clinical supervision from a licensed social worker.
Grantees should note that the OVC award condition that states that the project director and/or any other key program personnel designated in the application shall be replaced only for compelling reasons. Successors to key personnel must be approved by OJP, and such approval is contingent upon submission of appropriate information, including, but not limited to, a resume. Changes in program personnel, other than key personnel, require only notification to OJP and submission of resumes, unless otherwise designated in the award document.
Any human trafficking grantee (and any subrecipient thereof) may not permit any grant staff to interact with any minor in the course of activities under the award, unless the recipient or subrecipient first has made a written determination of the suitability of that individual to interact with participating minors, based on current and appropriate information.
Grantees should have policies and procedures in place to ensure that staff working directly with clients receive adequate training, support, and supervision. OVC requires that key staff, including case managers, must have prior victim service experience or be under the direct supervision of a senior case manager or project director with such experience. OVC recommends that case managers receive clinical supervision from a licensed social worker.
Grantees should note that the OVC award condition that states that the project director and/or any other key program personnel designated in the application shall be replaced only for compelling reasons. Successors to key personnel must be approved by OJP, and such approval is contingent upon submission of appropriate information, including, but not limited to, a resume. Changes in program personnel, other than key personnel, require only notification to OJP and submission of resumes, unless otherwise designated in the award document.
Any human trafficking grantee (and any subrecipient thereof) may not permit any grant staff to interact with any minor in the course of activities under the award, unless the recipient or subrecipient first has made a written determination of the suitability of that individual to interact with participating minors, based on current and appropriate information.
Yes. Relevant grant-funded staff are required to participate in grantee orientations and OVC-sponsored training and technical assistance. OVC records and posts important orientation materials on its FY 2023 Anti-Trafficking Grantee Orientations and FY 2024 Anti-Trafficking Grantee Orientations pages so that grant staff can rewatch as needed or share with new staff. These trainings address a wide range of topics, including administrative supports and civil rights regulations, and a checklist can also be downloaded from this site to help staff record and report on training attendance. OVC’s website features links to resources and other training and technical assistance. OVC recommends that new staff and community partners take the Understanding Human Trafficking training for a foundational training on responding to human trafficking.
Please refer to award documents for any additional mandatory program training requirements.
Yes. Relevant grant-funded staff are required to participate in grantee orientations and OVC-sponsored training and technical assistance. OVC records and posts important orientation materials on its FY 2023 Anti-Trafficking Grantee Orientations and FY 2024 Anti-Trafficking Grantee Orientations pages so that grant staff can rewatch as needed or share with new staff. These trainings address a wide range of topics, including administrative supports and civil rights regulations, and a checklist can also be downloaded from this site to help staff record and report on training attendance. OVC’s website features links to resources and other training and technical assistance. OVC recommends that new staff and community partners take the Understanding Human Trafficking training for a foundational training on responding to human trafficking.
Please refer to award documents for any additional mandatory program training requirements.
Please refer to the notice of funding opportunity an award was funded under for program-specific requirements.
For most OVC Human Trafficking programs funded under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), the purpose of the funding is to support victim service programs: therefore, applicants should not propose primary prevention activities under this program. Primary prevention activities are any activities designed to protect individuals prior to victimization (i.e., stopping victimization before it occurs). Examples of primary prevention activities may include activities focused on the perpetrator of a crime, or that are focused primarily on crime prevention. Training and outreach conducted using OVC anti-trafficking funding should have the primary purpose of identification and referral of victims, but prevention may be an ancillary outcome of the program. Activities focused on preventing the revictimization of trafficking survivors are allowable.
One exception to the paragraph above is OVC’s Preventing Trafficking of Girls Program, which is funded under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 and does support prevention and early intervention programming for girls who are at risk of, or are victims of, sex trafficking.
Please refer to the notice of funding opportunity an award was funded under for program-specific requirements.
For most OVC Human Trafficking programs funded under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), the purpose of the funding is to support victim service programs: therefore, applicants should not propose primary prevention activities under this program. Primary prevention activities are any activities designed to protect individuals prior to victimization (i.e., stopping victimization before it occurs). Examples of primary prevention activities may include activities focused on the perpetrator of a crime, or that are focused primarily on crime prevention. Training and outreach conducted using OVC anti-trafficking funding should have the primary purpose of identification and referral of victims, but prevention may be an ancillary outcome of the program. Activities focused on preventing the revictimization of trafficking survivors are allowable.
One exception to the paragraph above is OVC’s Preventing Trafficking of Girls Program, which is funded under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 and does support prevention and early intervention programming for girls who are at risk of, or are victims of, sex trafficking.
OVC is committed to an approach to human trafficking that is trauma-informed, victim- centered, survivor informed, culturally responsive; and evidence-based. Definitions of these concepts are available in the glossary of OVC’s Model Standards for Serving Victims and Survivors of Crime.
In line with these concepts and to enhance survivors’ access to victim services, starting in FY 2022, OVC anti-trafficking programs selected for award will be required to attest that they engage in practices that remove barriers to receiving services and support survivor autonomy. Such practices will reduce requirements to engage in services, promote survivors’ choice within service delivery, and protect victim privacy and confidentiality.
Funded programs will demonstrate their commitment to this approach by maintaining the following. (Note: Many of these requirements are mandated by federal civil rights laws, while others reflect OVC’s policy direction to recipients to enhance access to services and promote survivor autonomy.)
- Procedures or policies that provide all survivors access to safe shelter, advocacy services, counseling, and other assistance without exclusions. For those programs that by their design target a particular population (e.g., youth, sex specific) there should be procedures or policies in place to ensure access to comparable, qualified services for other survivors seeking support.
- Procedures or policies that protect the confidentiality of information and/or privacy of persons receiving services.
- Procedures or policies that do not require victims to take certain actions (e.g., receive counseling, report to law enforcement, commit to sobriety) to be eligible for, or to receive services. For youth serving programs with justifiable mandatory requirements, a shared decision making model should be used to provide minors with agency in determining a course of action.
- Project designs, products, services, and/or budgets that consider the unique needs of individuals with disabilities, with limited English proficiency, or who are Deaf or hard of hearing, including accessibility for such individuals.
OVC is committed to an approach to human trafficking that is trauma-informed, victim- centered, survivor informed, culturally responsive; and evidence-based. Definitions of these concepts are available in the glossary of OVC’s Model Standards for Serving Victims and Survivors of Crime.
In line with these concepts and to enhance survivors’ access to victim services, starting in FY 2022, OVC anti-trafficking programs selected for award will be required to attest that they engage in practices that remove barriers to receiving services and support survivor autonomy. Such practices will reduce requirements to engage in services, promote survivors’ choice within service delivery, and protect victim privacy and confidentiality.
Funded programs will demonstrate their commitment to this approach by maintaining the following. (Note: Many of these requirements are mandated by federal civil rights laws, while others reflect OVC’s policy direction to recipients to enhance access to services and promote survivor autonomy.)
- Procedures or policies that provide all survivors access to safe shelter, advocacy services, counseling, and other assistance without exclusions. For those programs that by their design target a particular population (e.g., youth, sex specific) there should be procedures or policies in place to ensure access to comparable, qualified services for other survivors seeking support.
- Procedures or policies that protect the confidentiality of information and/or privacy of persons receiving services.
- Procedures or policies that do not require victims to take certain actions (e.g., receive counseling, report to law enforcement, commit to sobriety) to be eligible for, or to receive services. For youth serving programs with justifiable mandatory requirements, a shared decision making model should be used to provide minors with agency in determining a course of action.
- Project designs, products, services, and/or budgets that consider the unique needs of individuals with disabilities, with limited English proficiency, or who are Deaf or hard of hearing, including accessibility for such individuals.
TVAP is a grant program offered through the Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) within the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Administration for Children & Families that funds comprehensive case management services for adult foreign national victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons, potential victims of trafficking seeking HHS Certification, and their qualified family members through a national network of service providers. OVC anti-trafficking grantees should expect that at times they may receive requests for referrals from TVAP-funded programs. Please consult the TVAP website for additional information on the program.
TVAP is a grant program offered through the Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) within the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Administration for Children & Families that funds comprehensive case management services for adult foreign national victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons, potential victims of trafficking seeking HHS Certification, and their qualified family members through a national network of service providers. OVC anti-trafficking grantees should expect that at times they may receive requests for referrals from TVAP-funded programs. Please consult the TVAP website for additional information on the program.
Aspire is a grant program offered through the Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) within the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children & Families that funds comprehensive case management services for foreign national children and youth victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons, potential victims of trafficking seeking HHS Certification, and their qualified family members through a national network of service providers. OVC anti-trafficking grantees should expect that at times they may receive requests for referrals from Aspire-funded programs.
Aspire is a grant program offered through the Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) within the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children & Families that funds comprehensive case management services for foreign national children and youth victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons, potential victims of trafficking seeking HHS Certification, and their qualified family members through a national network of service providers. OVC anti-trafficking grantees should expect that at times they may receive requests for referrals from Aspire-funded programs.
For purposes of OVC anti-trafficking awards, “key personnel” refers to the project director, and any other personnel designated in the application or award whose positions are essential to the successful implementation of the award. This includes, but is not limited to, project staff in leadership, supervisory, coordination, or project lead roles. Additional questions about key personnel may be directed to your OVC Grant Manager.
For purposes of OVC anti-trafficking awards, “key personnel” refers to the project director, and any other personnel designated in the application or award whose positions are essential to the successful implementation of the award. This includes, but is not limited to, project staff in leadership, supervisory, coordination, or project lead roles. Additional questions about key personnel may be directed to your OVC Grant Manager.
No. The only exception to this is OVC-funded Housing Assistance awards that implement a transitional housing model that limits housing assistance to 24-months. In this situation, if an individual needs housing assistance for longer than 24 months, please contact your OVC Grants Manager.
No. The only exception to this is OVC-funded Housing Assistance awards that implement a transitional housing model that limits housing assistance to 24-months. In this situation, if an individual needs housing assistance for longer than 24 months, please contact your OVC Grants Manager.
Foreign national minors in the United States, including unaccompanied children, who have experienced a severe form of trafficking in persons (forced labor or commercial sex) are eligible for benefits and services under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, as amended through the issuance of an Eligibility or Interim Assistance Letter from the HHS Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP). These benefits and services include access to trafficking-specific case management services, food assistance, health insurance, and other needs to the same extent as a refugee.
Please visit the OTIP website to learn more about how to report trafficking concerns and request assistance on behalf of a foreign national minor, how child eligibility is determined, or to access additional trafficking prevention and protection resources.
Foreign national minors in the United States, including unaccompanied children, who have experienced a severe form of trafficking in persons (forced labor or commercial sex) are eligible for benefits and services under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, as amended through the issuance of an Eligibility or Interim Assistance Letter from the HHS Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP). These benefits and services include access to trafficking-specific case management services, food assistance, health insurance, and other needs to the same extent as a refugee.
Please visit the OTIP website to learn more about how to report trafficking concerns and request assistance on behalf of a foreign national minor, how child eligibility is determined, or to access additional trafficking prevention and protection resources.
All clients with Eligibility Letters have already been screened for trafficking and are therefore eligible to receive services from OVC-funded anti-trafficking programs without re-screening. Additionally, all clients with Interim Assistance Letters are eligible to receive services from OVC-funded anti-trafficking programs during the 120-day Interim Assistance period without re-screening. If your client has an Interim Assistance Letter, contact the OTIP Child Protection Specialist for updates on their case and to determine if further assessment needs to occur.
All clients with Eligibility Letters have already been screened for trafficking and are therefore eligible to receive services from OVC-funded anti-trafficking programs without re-screening. Additionally, all clients with Interim Assistance Letters are eligible to receive services from OVC-funded anti-trafficking programs during the 120-day Interim Assistance period without re-screening. If your client has an Interim Assistance Letter, contact the OTIP Child Protection Specialist for updates on their case and to determine if further assessment needs to occur.
In accordance with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), federal, state, and local officials with information about foreign national minors who may have experienced human trafficking must refer cases to the Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) for assessment within 24 hours. However, OTIP will accept case referrals even after the initial 24-hour period has passed. Therefore, federal, state, and local officials working with a foreign national minor in the United States (non-U.S. citizen or non-lawful permanent resident under 18 years) that have concerns that a minor may have experienced forced labor or commercial sex at any point in their life and in any country should take steps to report trafficking concerns as outlined on the Office on Trafficking in Persons' (OTIP) website.
In accordance with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), federal, state, and local officials with information about foreign national minors who may have experienced human trafficking must refer cases to the Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) for assessment within 24 hours. However, OTIP will accept case referrals even after the initial 24-hour period has passed. Therefore, federal, state, and local officials working with a foreign national minor in the United States (non-U.S. citizen or non-lawful permanent resident under 18 years) that have concerns that a minor may have experienced forced labor or commercial sex at any point in their life and in any country should take steps to report trafficking concerns as outlined on the Office on Trafficking in Persons' (OTIP) website.
You can contact the Office on Trafficking in Persons’ (OTIP) Child Protection Specialists by phone at call 202-205-4582 or email ChildTrafficking@acf.hhs.gov during normal business hours (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time).
You can contact the Office on Trafficking in Persons’ (OTIP) Child Protection Specialists by phone at call 202-205-4582 or email ChildTrafficking@acf.hhs.gov during normal business hours (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time).
OVC-funded anti-trafficking case managers should work to expeditiously assist clients with accessing benefits with their Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) Eligibility and Interim Assistance Letters. Some benefits may be time-limited, so apply for benefits as soon as possible. To troubleshoot issues with accessing benefits or a non-work Social Security Number, contact OTIP’s Aspire and Trafficking Victim Assistance Programs (TVAP) at 800-307-4712, Aspire@uscrimail.org or Tvap@uscrimail.org to be connected to a Regional Coordinator in your client’s area.
OVC-funded anti-trafficking case managers should work to expeditiously assist clients with accessing benefits with their Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) Eligibility and Interim Assistance Letters. Some benefits may be time-limited, so apply for benefits as soon as possible. To troubleshoot issues with accessing benefits or a non-work Social Security Number, contact OTIP’s Aspire and Trafficking Victim Assistance Programs (TVAP) at 800-307-4712, Aspire@uscrimail.org or Tvap@uscrimail.org to be connected to a Regional Coordinator in your client’s area.
No. OVC does not impose procedures or policies that require victims to take certain actions to be eligible for, or to receive services. This includes requiring a victim of human trafficking to collaborate with law enforcement officers as a condition of access to any shelter or any other direct services.
No. OVC does not impose procedures or policies that require victims to take certain actions to be eligible for, or to receive services. This includes requiring a victim of human trafficking to collaborate with law enforcement officers as a condition of access to any shelter or any other direct services.
Through its cadre of training and technical assistance (TTA) providers, OVC provides practitioner-driven, evidence-based TTA that is responsive to the particular needs of victim service providers and system stakeholders, their communities, and the victims they serve. These providers strengthen the victim assistance responses to human trafficking, support multidisciplinary task forces and cross-sector collaboration, and build stakeholder capacity and leadership in identifying human trafficking victims and connecting them to services. Please consult OVC’s Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance webpage for information about available TTA, and locate upcoming training opportunities by conducting a search of OVC’s events page.
Through its cadre of training and technical assistance (TTA) providers, OVC provides practitioner-driven, evidence-based TTA that is responsive to the particular needs of victim service providers and system stakeholders, their communities, and the victims they serve. These providers strengthen the victim assistance responses to human trafficking, support multidisciplinary task forces and cross-sector collaboration, and build stakeholder capacity and leadership in identifying human trafficking victims and connecting them to services. Please consult OVC’s Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance webpage for information about available TTA, and locate upcoming training opportunities by conducting a search of OVC’s events page.
No. Unlike some other federal agencies that have the statutory authority to make victim determinations (i.e., issuing a T-visa or a certification letter for a foreign national trafficking victim), OVC does not have the authority to determine that individuals are trafficking victims, or to confer such authority on our grantees or any non-governmental organization. However, grantees may use OVC funds to support clients in applying for this remedy. (See the 2022 rule published by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for more information on survivors seeking to block adverse items on their credit reports that resulted from trafficking.)
No. Unlike some other federal agencies that have the statutory authority to make victim determinations (i.e., issuing a T-visa or a certification letter for a foreign national trafficking victim), OVC does not have the authority to determine that individuals are trafficking victims, or to confer such authority on our grantees or any non-governmental organization. However, grantees may use OVC funds to support clients in applying for this remedy. (See the 2022 rule published by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for more information on survivors seeking to block adverse items on their credit reports that resulted from trafficking.)
The purpose of funds awarded under statutory authorities 22 U.S.C. § 7105(b)(2) and 34 U.S.C. § 20705 is to respond to all forms of human trafficking. Funds may be used in serving individuals when the grantee has reason to believe that the person is or might be a trafficking victim and is providing support or services tailored to that individual as they determine their eligibility for this program.
Responding to human trafficking under an OVC award may involve limited training on other victimizations, especially those that may co-occur among a particular groups of victims, such as child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), but training and outreach conducted using OVC anti-trafficking funding should have the primary purpose of identification and referral of victims of human trafficking as defined in 22 U.S.C. § 7102(11).
The purpose of funds awarded under statutory authorities 22 U.S.C. § 7105(b)(2) and 34 U.S.C. § 20705 is to respond to all forms of human trafficking. Funds may be used in serving individuals when the grantee has reason to believe that the person is or might be a trafficking victim and is providing support or services tailored to that individual as they determine their eligibility for this program.
Responding to human trafficking under an OVC award may involve limited training on other victimizations, especially those that may co-occur among a particular groups of victims, such as child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), but training and outreach conducted using OVC anti-trafficking funding should have the primary purpose of identification and referral of victims of human trafficking as defined in 22 U.S.C. § 7102(11).
OVC supports programs aimed at identifying and serving victims of trafficking, as defined in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, as a person who has been subjected to a “severe form of trafficking in persons,” meaning—
- sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not yet attained 18 years of age; or
- the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.
Because this definition involves elements of force, fraud, and coercion except in the cases of sex trafficking of minors, additional investigative methods, intelligence gathering, training, and analysis are necessary to identify sex trafficking victims versus individuals voluntarily engaged in commercial sex.
For example, approaches that do not align with the ECM model include those that target—
- the purchasers of commercial sex that fail to result in the identification of one or more actual victims of human trafficking prior to an operation OR otherwise fail to involve a connection to one or more actual trafficking victims.
- individuals engaged in commercial sex for arrest as a means for identifying victims of trafficking. Such efforts may compromise victim safety by failing to properly screen for sex trafficking victimization and may result in the arrest of victims of sex trafficking.
OVC ECM funding also does not support efforts or operations that are counter to a victim centered and trauma-informed approach. This includes policies and practices that may inadvertently re-traumatize victims and/or require a victim of human trafficking to collaborate with law enforcement officers as a condition of access to any shelter or other direct services.
OVC supports programs aimed at identifying and serving victims of trafficking, as defined in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, as a person who has been subjected to a “severe form of trafficking in persons,” meaning—
- sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not yet attained 18 years of age; or
- the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.
Because this definition involves elements of force, fraud, and coercion except in the cases of sex trafficking of minors, additional investigative methods, intelligence gathering, training, and analysis are necessary to identify sex trafficking victims versus individuals voluntarily engaged in commercial sex.
For example, approaches that do not align with the ECM model include those that target—
- the purchasers of commercial sex that fail to result in the identification of one or more actual victims of human trafficking prior to an operation OR otherwise fail to involve a connection to one or more actual trafficking victims.
- individuals engaged in commercial sex for arrest as a means for identifying victims of trafficking. Such efforts may compromise victim safety by failing to properly screen for sex trafficking victimization and may result in the arrest of victims of sex trafficking.
OVC ECM funding also does not support efforts or operations that are counter to a victim centered and trauma-informed approach. This includes policies and practices that may inadvertently re-traumatize victims and/or require a victim of human trafficking to collaborate with law enforcement officers as a condition of access to any shelter or other direct services.
OVC anti-trafficking funding is intended to identify and support victims of human trafficking. Consequently, OVC ECM award funds may not be used as part of efforts that focus solely on arresting and prosecuting buyers of commercial sex as these may be cases in which there are no victims of human trafficking or traffickers identified.
OVC anti-trafficking funding is intended to identify and support victims of human trafficking. Consequently, OVC ECM award funds may not be used as part of efforts that focus solely on arresting and prosecuting buyers of commercial sex as these may be cases in which there are no victims of human trafficking or traffickers identified.
For the ECM Task Force co-leads (lead victim service provider and lead law enforcement agency) and broader task force membership to conduct an operation, there needs to be a reasonable connection to either a potential or confirmed trafficking victim, i.e., some knowledge, intelligence, or information, obtained in advance of the operation indicating that potential sex or labor trafficking is occurring.
For the ECM Task Force co-leads (lead victim service provider and lead law enforcement agency) and broader task force membership to conduct an operation, there needs to be a reasonable connection to either a potential or confirmed trafficking victim, i.e., some knowledge, intelligence, or information, obtained in advance of the operation indicating that potential sex or labor trafficking is occurring.