Louisiana has received a one-point-two million dollar federal grant to assist child victims of human trafficking. Governor John Bel Edwards says the money is needed, because a report released last February found 681 adults and juveniles identified as victims of human trafficking in 2017.

"And I assure you that while the numbers are grim, we are making a difference and we are going to make a bigger difference going forward," said Edwards. 

 

Louisiana is one of seven states since 2015 to receive this type of funding, which will be used on a project known as the Louisiana Child Trafficking Collaborative.

 

First Lady Donna Edwards has attempted to raise awareness about human trafficking and says this it's an issue everyone should be concerned about. 

 

"Very difficult to hear what happens to these young women, young girls and children, so it's not always pleasant to be a part of this process, but gosh we have to do this, we have to make a difference," said Donna Edwards. 

 

In 2016, Shared Hope International ranked Louisiana number one in the nation for its anti-trafficking laws. Edwards says the state is making progress in trying to stop modern-day slavery, which is why the Department of Justice trusts Louisiana with this federal grant. 

 

"They can have more confidence that the dollars will be properly invested and spent and produce results that will yield best practices that then can sent around the rest of the country," said Governor Edwards.