Compounding Institutional Exclusion and Harm: A Case Study of Federally Funded Alaska Service Providers
Tatiana Rothchild, PhD(c); Tara Burns, MA & Ajela Banks | September 19 | 3:15-4:15 pm
Topic: Legal, Research | Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Federal funds for human trafficking victim programs and services in the United States have increased from approximately $10 million in 2002 to more than $90 million in 2022. This increase in fund availability, however, has not necessarily translated into meaningful or accessible services for survivors. This research examines the distribution of Department of Justice anti-trafficking funds through the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), particularly looking at OVC recipients in Alaska. This case study of Alaska - which received more than $10 million since 2019 - highlights certain trends in OVC funding, including changes in distribution over time, emphasis on task force engagement between service providers and law enforcement, and discussions of equity and inclusion, while the reality faced by survivors can be quite different. What institutional accountability explains how the $10.7 million in federal funds have been spent in Alaska over the last decade? What do a plethora of victim service funds mean if survivors cannot access them? The presenters explore institutional mechanisms of exclusion and harm, particularly around concepts of ideal victims, complexities in collaborating with law enforcement, criminalization of trafficking survivors, and criteria to qualify for services. The implications of this research for policymakers and service providers are further explored, and suggestions are made for federal funding distribution and accountability and institutional engagement with federal funds and survivors.
Presentation Objectives:
• Provide a descriptive overview of OVC funding distribution over different types of projects and different areas of the U.S. over time
• Dive into Alaska’s case study, understanding the role of federal funding in institutional behavior and policies and exploring survivor’s experiences with these federally funded groups
• Describe the recommendations for federal funding and institutional policies based on this research