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
kkreymann@publiclawcenter.org