UNLOCKING A FRESH START FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS ALIGHT Alliance to Lead Impact in Global Human Trafficking Marianna Kosharovsky Founder & Executive Director ALIGHT www.alightnet.org
ABOUT ALIGHT ALIGHT exists to unlock a fresh start for human trafficking survivors. We rapidly match survivor legal needs with untapped expertise.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING Exploitation of vulnerabilities Poverty, lack of safety net Discrimination Undocumented status Victims of other forms of violence Disconnected youth Racial and ethnic minorities
IMPACT OF CRIMINALIZATION National Survivor Network Member Survey Report on On the Impact of Criminal Arrest and Detention on Survivors of Human Trafficking, 2016
IMPACT OF CRIMINALIZATION The majority of survivors reported that they had suffered long-term impacts from the arrests and convictions they faced as a trafficking victim. 80% reported this had created a barrier when seeking employment and over 50% reported it as a barrier to housing. Lack of housing and employment are often cited as significant factors in creating vulnerability to trafficking or other forms of exploitation. One respondent asked How can people who have been victimized get their lives together if society does not let them work? Other impacts reported included credit, being able to keep their children, and issues with family members and relationships. 70% of respondents reported that they have not been able to vacate their convictions. Many indicated that is too expensive or they do not know how. National Survivor Network Member Survey Report on On the Impact of Criminal Arrest and Detention on Survivors of Human Trafficking, 2016
DIVERSE LEGAL NEEDS housing eviction arrest warrant debt collection child custody false documents / identity theft starting own business / employment
ALIGHT IS THE BRIDGE Trafficking Survivors Have Diverse Legal Needs applying for public housing clearing criminal records negotiating debt issues fighting for child custody resolving false documents / identity theft filing wage theft claim Connect survivors to mobilized legal network Legal Community Is Ready and Willing to Provide Pro Bono Services Disability Benefits Law Criminal Law (restitution, criminal records, warrants) Bankruptcy Law Family Law (custody, divorce, family reunification) Employment Discrimination Law Civil Litigation
HOW IT WORKS Access to free legal assistance from Family, Criminal and Civil Law Community service provider identifies someone as a trafficking survivor, posts request for legal counsel/ representation for specific issue Immediate needs-matching and targeted alerts notify lawyers with relevant expertise Lawyers willing and able to assist respond through app
MEASURABLE RESULTS AND REAL IMPACT Connected 17 human trafficking legal needs to free legal services through platform since 2017 Many lawyers respond within 1 hour to provide pro bono legal services Most common legal needs: Family Law: child custody, divorce Criminal Law: seal criminal records Civil Law: debt/identity theft, harassment and defamation suits
CASE STUDY Timeline 2008-2012... Trafficked, forced to commit crimes 2012-2017... Clearing 10 criminal records across different jurisdictions 2017... Works 3+ months with attorney in ALIGHT network to seal last criminal record in CO
RESOURCES IN COLORADO CoNEHT (Colorado Network to End Human Trafficking) 24/7 statewide hotline: 866-455-5075 COVA (Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance) www.coloradocrimevictims.org ; 303-861-1160 Colorado Human Trafficking Council Request training by contacting Maria Trujillo at 303-239-4454 CCASA (Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault) www.ccasa.org ; 303-839-9999
ALIGHT PARTNERS & COMMUNITY
GET INVOLVED SERVICE PROVIDERS PRO BONO LAWYERS HT community organizations youth, LGBTQI and immigrant community-based services nonprofit legal providers victim s assistance organizations Family Law Criminal Law Civil Litigation Tax Law General, Commercial and Contract Law DV and SA organizations
THANK YOU! Email: connect@alightnet.org Website: www.alightnet.org