Pro Bono Volunteers Wanted: Helping Survivors of Human Trafficking

Attorneys seeking pro bono work have many opportunities to help survivors of human trafficking. A continuing legal education course presented by the New York State Bar Association detailed the immense need for volunteers to help survivors by providing legal assistance on issues such as immigration, housing, credit, criminal proceedings and much more.

The speakers were:

• Estelle C. Davis, Deputy Director of the New York State Office of Refugee Services.
• Amy Marques, Senior Immigration Attorney at My Sisters'​ Place.
• Carmen Maquilon, director of immigrant and refugee services at Catholic Charities of Long Island.

Margaret J. Finerty, partner at Getnick & Getnick, moderated the discussion.

The scale of human trafficking

Trafficking is the use of force, fraud or coercion to force a person to work or engage in commercial sex acts. Contrary to popular belief, trafficking does not necessarily involve crossing borders or state lines.

In 2021, approximately 27.6 million people worldwide were subject to forced labor, including labor trafficking, sex trafficking and forced marriage, according to the International Labor Organization.

“These numbers have also increased during the pandemic,” Davis said. “As global catastrophe occurs, marginalized people experience more harm. »

Also in 2021, the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline identified 16,554 people as victims of trafficking, nearly three-quarters of them for sexual purposes.

In New York State, 322 people were identified as victims of trafficking in 2023.

Davis said this data comes with the caveat: “We only know about cases that have been identified.” She continued: “We are increasing the identification of labor trafficking. But there are many people who may have experienced this and who would meet the legal definition but who are not necessarily identified.

The most vulnerable people in society are, unsurprisingly, the most vulnerable to trafficking. “When someone has experienced discrimination, they are more likely to be vulnerable to the type of manipulation and exploitation that we are talking about,” Davis said.

For example, a boss might threaten an undocumented worker with deportation or hold onto an immigrant's passport so they can't leave. A young person on the run may be asked to have sex with the owner's friend in order to remain in the accommodation. We can tell a woman that we would help her to have a career as a model, only to force her into prostitution.

Traffickers often try to isolate their victims, claiming that no one will listen or believe them. “So they don’t reveal what’s going on,” Davis said. “Because it’s often that revelation that leads them to get help.”

Davis added that it is important to counteract these messages of isolation with messages of support, treating those in need with respect and empathy and empowering them to make their own choices.

How Lawyers Can Help You

Agencies that help survivors of trafficking need volunteers to help them with legal aid, particularly with visa applications. The organizations will provide lawyers with advice and training if necessary.

“Being able to free that person is such a great experience,” Maquilon said. “We will provide you with the advice and training necessary to conduct your case… You will always have someone who can guide you throughout the process. »

Lawyers interested in volunteering can email [email protected] with their name, contact details, curriculum vitae and any relevant experience. Or consult the opportunities available on this link:

Interested lawyers can also contact the following people:

Catholic Charities of Long Island

At my sister's house (Westchester County)

Safe Horizon Anti-Trafficking Program (NYC)

• Name: Amelia (Amy) Shogan, Supervising Attorney
• E-mail: [email protected]
• Type of Pro Bono Opportunities: Applications for non-immigrant T status; Green card applications for non-immigrants T; Interpreting – particularly from Spanish into English and Bengali into English

The seminar was sponsored by the Committee on Immigrant Representation and the Committee on Civil Rights. View the full program here.