Legal Assistance for Human Trafficking Victims Kirsten Kreymann, Esq. Pro Bono Director
Mission Statement The Public Law Center, Orange County’s pro bono law firm, is committed to providing access to justice for low-income residents. Through volunteers and staff, the Public Law Center provides free civil legal services, including counseling, individual representation, community education, and strategic litigation and advocacy to challenge societal injustices.
PLC Facts
PLC in 30th year Pro Bono Model - In 2010, nearly 1200 volunteers and 25 staff provided services to over 18,600 people Free civil legal services No criminal cases Represent victims with LEAs Heavy interaction with victim advocates
Types of Trafficking
International – Foreign national victims Domestic – Occurring w/in U.S. Adult – 18 years or older Minor - 17 years or younger Labor Commercial Sexual Exploitation
Opening Not Required forPrayer Minors Pastor Mike Kenyon
Rock Harbor Church
6
Three Elements of Trafficking 1 PROCESS Recruiting OR Harboring OR Moving OR Obtaining
a person,
2 MEANS*
3 END For the purposes of
by Force OR Fraud OR Coercion
Involuntary Servitude OR Debt Bondage OR Slavery OR Sex Trade
*No means required when under 18 victim.
© Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking (CAST), 2006. All Rights Reserved.
Victims Are Trafficked For
Labor Servile marriage Domestic help Working in drop houses Agricultural Restaurant Many more
Sexual Exploitation
Smuggling vs. Trafficking Smuggling
Crime against nation Must cross int’l border Person free to leave after border passage A person consents to being smuggled No labor or sexual exploitation required
Trafficking
Crime against a person No movement required Person NOT free to leave after border passage A person is trafficked through force, fraud, coercion Involves labor or sexual exploitation
Examples
An Under-Identified Crime Some rough estimates of the scope of the problem:
In the U.S. 14,500-17,500 men, women and children trafficked annually 2 million people trafficked worldwide annually 27 million people in slavery around the world 9 billion dollar business PLC has provided services to approx 90 victims in 6 years 1600+ certified victims through 2010
Portions of slide courtesy of Coalition Against Slavery and Trafficking (CAST)
Why Provide Civil Legal Assistance?
Victims able to become survivors quicker Help prevent re-victimization of client Stable victims make better witnesses Strengthen community policing Incentive for victim cooperation Means of victim identification Victim gains trust in the legal system
Legal Needs of Trafficking Victims
Representation with Law Enforcement Immigration Relief Marriage Dissolution Custody of Children Restitution
Immigration Legal Needs
Special Benefit Parole Continued Presence T visa U visa VAWA SIJS
Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force
Founded in 2004 Purpose
Identify Victims – Community Education Protect Victims – Collaborative Model Prosecute Offenders
Members
Core Members – Westminster and Anaheim PD, CSP, Salvation Army, PLC, FBI, ICE, US Attorney, DA General Members – Include college students, faith based organizations, professional organizations, medical providers, shelters.
Referrals Call the National Hotline First 1.888.3737.888 CSP, Director of Human Trafficking Program 714.548.3856
Contact Information Kirsten Kreymann, Esq. Pro Bono Director Public Law Center 714.541.1010, extension 283
[email protected]
