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Safe Communities

Column: Partners in Safety
Attorney General Miyares, Robin Gauthier, Executive Director of Samaritan House, presenting at a Press Conference for 100% BATT (Businesses Alliance Against Trafficking)
Attorney General Miyares, Robin Gauthier, Executive Director of Samaritan House, presenting at a Press Conference for 100% BATT (Businesses Alliance Against Trafficking). Samaritan House is one of the Hampton Roads Human Trafficking Task Force’s (HRHTTF) Victim Service Agencies. They provide temporary housing and services for victims and survivors of Human Trafficking in Hampton Roads. Narendra Pleas, Suffolk Commonwealth Attorney, is also featured in the photo. Ms. Pleas is a part of the Executive Leadership Team for the HRHTTF.
Date Published
April 1, 2024

United against labor trafficking: Spotlight on organizations leading the charge

Labor trafficking is defined as “the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage or slavery.”

Anyone can be affected by labor trafficking—including children. Companies and their contractors that unlawfully employ children hurt vulnerable communities, undercut labor standards for all workers and, in some cases, create the demand that gives rise to human trafficking. Addressing child labor exploitation and child trafficking is critical to advancing the health, education and well-being of children and families in the United States.

OJP, through its Office for Victims of Crime, is dedicated to combating these crimes and addressing the needs of victims. As the largest federal funder of victim services for survivors of human trafficking, OVC has worked across government and with the anti-trafficking field for over 20 years to strengthen the:

  • identification of victims of human trafficking;
  • enforcement of human trafficking victims’ rights;
  • access to services through victim-centered and trauma-informed programs, policies, and resources; and
  • justice, access, and empowerment for all survivors of human trafficking.

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As we recognize Human Trafficking Prevention Month, learn more about OJP-funded programs working to eradicate child labor trafficking.

Gulfcoast Legal Services

Motorhome RV with text illuminate Building Brighter Childhoods

Illuminate Colorado, a nonprofit based in Denver, serves families with adults experiencing substance use conditions by implementing programs, policies and initiatives aimed at protecting children and keeping them safe. The organization offers programs that address child maltreatment from multiple angles to effect lasting change. One of those programs is Illuminating Child Care. This program provides an innovative systemic approach to increase access to childcare for parents and caregivers. By partnering with community-based nonprofits, local substance use disorder treatment providers and government agencies, the program provides personalized navigation for their clients while supporting them as they build resiliency, manage stress and learn effective coping skills.

Ayuda

Group photo with most wearing t-shirt with the text ayuda

Legal Aid of West Virginia provides free legal services and advocacy to every county in the state. The nonprofit’s Lawyer in the School program offers onsite, free legal aid to students’ families. The program stabilizes the lives of children and their families by helping to resolve issues such as custody disputes, disrupted income and eviction. By removing barriers to legal assistance, the program seeks to stabilize families and improve educational outcomes for the child victims involved.

Louisiana Child and Youth Trafficking Collaborative

Group sanding in front of presentation screen with text related to Human Trafficking Symposium

Serving the seven far western counties of North Carolina, the 30th Judicial District Alliance works with individuals, organizations and agencies to provide outreach, advocacy and training services to empower survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. This includes children who have been exposed to violence and trauma. In North Carolina, 40 percent of cases where a child has been removed from the home are the result of parental substance use. One strategy the nonprofit uses to support child victims is offering animal-assisted therapy programs that address mental, emotional and behavioral symptoms that may result from experiencing trauma. The Log Dog Therapy and Service Dogs Program incorporates therapy dogs in the Children Exposed to Violence program, using the dogs to promote healing from trauma.

St. Louis County Special Investigations Unit

Woman at the front of a room of seated people

The Butler County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services Board partners with community stakeholders to provide resources to county residents in need of mental health and substance use services. One of these organizations is Envision Partnerships, a nonprofit with a focus on prevention programming. Envision Partnerships empowers families and communities through programs and initiatives that create positive change. Camp Mariposa, a year-round weekend youth camp in southwest Ohio, is a substance use prevention and mentoring program for youth affected by the substance use disorder of a loved one. Handle with Care is a trauma-informed, cross-systems collaborative initiative with the goal of ensuring children who experience adverse encounters with law enforcement or first responders receive appropriate interventions and positive resiliency-building interactions with teachers and staff at school.

YMCA of Greater Houston

Group stands in front of wall

The National Children’s Advocacy Center’s mission is to champion and strengthen the global response to child abuse. The NCAC offers diverse services and programs to individuals, families and the community and was the first Children’s Advocacy Center in the world. One of those services is the Child Advocacy, Resilience, Education and Support team. CARES is a treatment-focused community resource and referral team that addresses the comprehensive needs of children and families impacted by a parent or caregiver’s substance use disorder, including the parent or caregiver. Services include trauma therapy, family advocacy and support groups.

Virginia Department of Law

Attorney General Jason Miyares at podium between VA and US flags

The Office of the Attorney General is committed to combating all forms of human trafficking in Virginia and is dedicating its resources to reaching and serving victims of labor trafficking, including children. Along with supporting legislation to increase the penalties for traffickers, the office participates in several federal, state and local human trafficking workgroups and task forces. The 100% Business Alliance Against Trafficking is the Attorney General’s newest initiative to combat human trafficking by partnering with business owners. Under this initiative, businesses will train their employees to both recognize the signs of human trafficking as well as how to report human trafficking crimes.

Date Published: April 1, 2024