Bridging The Legal Gap Between Survivors & Services

​Human trafficking is the deliberate exploitation of individuals for profit through coercion or forceful involvement in sexual activities or forced labor. Sadly, instances of human trafficking occur daily within the United States. This form of exploitation is often concealed, as survivors fear the consequences of coming forward. Traffickers employ harsh physical and psychological tactics that result in not only immediate pain and trauma, but also long-lasting effects such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Stockholm Syndrome, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and more. Furthermore, survivors are frequently coerced into breaking the law and subsequently face punishment as criminals, which further impedes their ability to secure employment, find housing, and access education. At Human Trafficking Justice and Freedom International, we firmly believe that survivors should not be treated as criminals for actions they were forced to commit while being victimized. If survivors bear no responsibility for the crimes they were compelled to carry out, they should never have been arrested or charged in the first place. By vacating or expunging their records, we aim to rectify this injustice and provide them with the opportunity to rebuild their lives.