Virginia’s efforts to combat child and youth labor and sex trafficking just got a boost with $1.29 million in grant funds to implement a multi-year plan to dismantle established networks and provide support for survivors.
Traffickers often target minors through social media, the foster care system and by taking advantage of runaway and homeless minors. These vulnerable individuals are then forced into sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, agriculture and other forms labor and/or sex trafficking through the use of violence, coercion, threats and psychological manipulation.
In partnership with researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University and the non-profit organization ImPACT Virginia, the state will work to strengthen interagency collaboration, expand research, enhance training resources and pilot support programs for youth victims of human trafficking.
“No child should ever have to endure the horrors of human trafficking,” said Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares. “This comprehensive multi-year plan will leverage the expertise and resources of our public and private partners to identify victims, dismantle trafficking networks and ensure survivors receive the compassionate, trauma-informed care they deserve.”
The grant was awarded from the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime.
What the grant covers
- Statewide collaboration: Virginia will establish a statewide working group to ensure a coordinated trauma-informed response to human trafficking across Virginia. This group will bring together representatives from law enforcement, social services and healthcare sectors. Complementing the working group, an advisory council composed of human trafficking survivors and anti-trafficking experts will provide training, guidance and oversight with a goal of establishing the working group in early 2025.
- Comprehensive research: To better understand gaps in identifying and supporting trafficking victims, particularly underrepresented groups like male and labor trafficking survivors, Virginia will conduct a detailed, statewide study in partnership with the Center for Public Policy at Virginia Commonwealth University. This analysis will include surveys, focus groups, stakeholder interviews, and geographic mapping to identify trafficking hotspots. The comprehensive report, expected by the end of 2025, will inform policy and service recommendations moving forward.
- Expanding the human trafficking toolkit: Building on Virginia’s existing human trafficking toolkit, the Commonwealth will update the resources to reflect the latest research findings and address the needs of labor trafficking victims and male survivors. The revised materials will include customized guidance for various sectors including healthcare, tourism, education and the justice system. These updated tools, available in multiple formats by mid-2026, will equip stakeholders with the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to human trafficking.
- Pilot training at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Facility: Virginia will partner with the non-profit ImPACT Virginia to provide specialized training to staff at the Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Facility. The pilot training program will enhance the ability of juvenile justice personnel to identify signs of trafficking and employ trauma-informed, victim-centric approaches.
- Regional training events: To improve collaboration and build capacity across Virginia, the Commonwealth will host five regional training sessions in 2027. These events will bring together law enforcement, healthcare providers, social services, educators, and community organizations to learn about the unique trafficking dynamics in their areas and acquire practical tools for victim identification and support. The training content will be tailored to each region, with opportunities for stakeholders to share best practices and strengthen their local networks
Sex trafficking resources
- 24/7 National Human Trafficking Hotline: (888) 373-7888
- National Human Trafficking SMS Line: 233733 (Text “HELP” or “INFO”)
- Text 847411. Send an anonymous tip to that number by typing “VSP” followed by the information you wish to share. If the information you possess concerns a person (or yourself) in imminent danger, dial 911 or #77 on a cell phone.
- Virginia Child Protection Services Hotline (for juveniles): (800) 552-7096
- Virginia Victims Assistance Network (for adults): (833) 463-6448
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Crystal Graham
