As the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Elon Musk reduces staffing at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) from 10,000 to a mere 300, critical support services for victims of online child exploitation and trafficking have been thrown into disarray. Organizations dedicated to safeguarding children from sexual abuse and trafficking are reporting serious challenges in their operations, as funding cuts have left them unable to offer necessary support.
Chantal Yelu Mulop from the Coordination for Youth and the Fight Against Sexual Violence and Trafficking in Persons (CJVFFT) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo highlights the immediate repercussions: her organization, which had just begun helping 25 newly identified victims—each under 17 years old—was abruptly cut off from promised assistance, leaving the vulnerable children without food or shelter.
In addition to USAID’s drastic budget cuts, a funding pause from the State Department—initiated under the previous administration—further complicates efforts to address child exploitation on a global scale. This “pause” on foreign aid is expected to last at least 90 days, during which vital protections for children will be compromised. Both USAID and the State Department have not provided comments regarding these funding issues.
For many of these organizations, funding was crucial for projects aimed at tackling online child exploitation and sexual abuse, including efforts to support victims, provide training to local law enforcement, and coordinate responses to trafficking. Jessica Ryckman, executive director of Lawyers Without Borders (LWOB), points out that the use of digital technology in trafficking cases means these funding cuts can stymie efforts to combat these crimes effectively.
Previous initiatives have shown success; for example, a partnership between the U.S. and the Philippines ended in 2021, rescuing more than 350 children and resulting in nearly 100 arrests. However, as the international community grapples with rising online child sexual abuse imagery, experts warn that the current funding interruptions will severely limit both rescues and ongoing support.
Organizations on the ground are reporting palpable disruptions. In one European country, there are ongoing investigations into 74 trafficking cases and 66 prosecutions. Without continued funding, essential services needed for the recovery of trafficking victims will wane, jeopardizing their safety during critical recovery phases.
The implications are dire. With many children at risk of remaining unidentified, and burgeoning trauma going unsupported due to halted funding, the future looks bleak without renewed commitments to these crucial programs.
