In recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the American Bar Association hosted a webinar to bring attention to the need for more lawyers to help trauma survivors.
January 27, 2025 Human Rights
Lawyers are needed to represent human trafficking survivors
Access to justice continues to be a barrier for low-income trafficking victims, said the panelists during the Jan. 9 program, “National Human Trafficking Awareness Day: You, Too, Can Represent Survivors.” They explained that lawyers can provide guidance working through complex legal matters faced by survivors as they re-establish their lives.
Safe housing and stable employment are difficult to obtain because many trafficking survivors have criminal records for acts committed while being victimized, said Caroline Ackerman, executive director of the Amara Legal Center. She said lawyers are needed to petition the court to reverse such convictions. Beyond working with vacatur laws, there are various pro bono opportunities for lawyers to assist, from representing clients to doing research or writing briefs.
The problem is that too many lawyers hesitate to step up, believing they don’t have the skills to manage trauma. However, resources are available to help lawyers understand and assist trauma survivors.
“I think anyone can do the work,” said Jessica-Wind Abolafia, director of the Anti-Trafficking Initiative at Sanctuary for Families. Just “put your humanity forward, think about how you can be compassionate and zealous.”
“Be receptive and open, and really lead with your heart,” added Marianna Kosharovsky, founder and executive director of the Alliance to Lead Impact in Global Human Trafficking.
“As a legal community, we really have an opportunity here to make relief available to more survivors,” Ackerman said, adding that pro bono is for every lawyer regardless of your area of concentration.