Kent County Sheriff’s Office: $1.2M grant will help combat human trafficking

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Kent County Sheriff’s Office and Safe Haven Ministries have been awarded a $1.2 million grant to combat human trafficking.

The three-year grant comes from the Office for Victims of Crimes, which is part of the U.S. Department of Justice, the sheriff’s office announced Tuesday in a release.

Once approved by the Kent County Board of Commissioners, the $1.2 million will help groups collaborate, improve the understanding of human trafficking in West Michigan and provide more resources for victims, the release says.

So far in 2024, the sheriff’s office says its Human Trafficking Task Force has identified 90 victims of labor and sex trafficking, and it expects to identify more by the end of the year.

“The success of the Human Trafficking Task Force rests on our collaborative efforts with community-based victim service providers such as Safe Haven Ministries,” said Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young in a statement. “Our increased capacity through this grant award ensures we continue the important work of giving victims a voice.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.