Both Law Enforcement and Non-Profits Funded to Protect and Assist Children and Teens
The U.S. Department of Justice has awarded more than $2 million to government and non-profit entities aimed at protecting and assisting children and youth who are at risk of violence, exploitation and abuse, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. The grants from the Office of Justice programs will continue some of the good work already underway and provide new services in some key areas.
“These grants from the Department of Justice provide services to some of the most vulnerable victims in our city and helps law enforcement do important work investigating those who prey on children," said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. “These federal dollars flow to programs that have a track record of addressing critical needs in our community."
More than $1 million of the funding goes to two non-profit organizations to assist victims of human trafficking. Youthcare in Seattle will receive $588,115 to support shelter, education and employment training for sex trafficked youth and young adults ages 12-24. The grant will also pay for training and partnerships to expand community awareness about human trafficking. The Seattle Indian Center was awarded $450,000 to assist Native American victims of sex trafficking and increase public awareness and understanding of the damage caused by human trafficking.
In the area of youth violence prevention, both the City of Seattle and the non-profit Children and Youth Justice Center received grant funding totaling nearly $600,000. The City of Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative received a $258,000 grant to enhance current efforts to prevent youth violence. The additional funding expands the program with youth suicide prevention as an important new component. The Children and Youth Justice Center was awarded $327,729 to continue and enhance its work combatting youth gangs and violent crime throughout King County.
Finally, the Seattle Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received $453,540 to continue its work investigating a growing number of technology facilitated crimes against children. In addition to personnel, the funding will pay for technology upgrades and training for investigators. The ICAC is a clearing house for tips regarding a variety of child sexual abuse and exploitation crimes throughout western Washington.
For more information of DOJ grants please go to the website of the Office of Justice Programs http://ojp.gov/
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
