Human Trafficking Survivor Advocacy: Trauma Informed Representation at Turley Law Firm
Human trafficking is a particularly terrible crime against others that leaves a devastating impact on survivors. Survivors often have endured repeated sexual assaults and abuse, physical violence, isolation, and threats to themselves and loved ones. Human trafficking survivors may suffer debilitating post-traumatic stress disorder and other injuries and damages.
Both the federal government and state of Texas have begun to recognize the trauma and pain suffered by human trafficking survivors and enacted laws allowing survivors to recover compensation from those who participated and profited in trafficking.
Because of the severe trauma caused by human trafficking, pursuing a lawsuit against those who participated and profited from human trafficking allows the survivor to receive compensation to help in their recovery and as they move forward with their life.
Beyond monetary compensation, pursuing a human trafficking civil case can empower human trafficking survivors. In criminal cases, the state and federal prosecutors make decisions on the case. In civil cases, human trafficking survivors bring their claims directly against the individuals and businesses who participated and profited in human trafficking. The survivors work directly with their attorney in deciding to bring the case and determining what path to pursue in litigation. This can help survivors take back control and ensure those responsible are held accountable and face justice.
I’m a human trafficking survivor, what are my next steps?
First and foremost, make sure you are safe. If you are in danger, call 911 and call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 or text the National Human Trafficking Hotline “INFO” to 233733.
When you are in a safe place, you can call or text Turley Law Firm at 214-691-4025, email us at turley@wturley.com, use our website chat, or fill out a form here. A personal injury attorney from our firm will contact you to discuss your case, your options going forward, and resources available to help you in your recovery.
Why Turley Law Firm?
Turley Law Firm was founded in 1973. Since we opened our doors, we have represented injured individuals and their families with Integrity, Experience, and Compassion.
Turley Law Firm’s attorney and staff are trauma informed. We began working with survivors of child sexual abuse in the early 1990s and are familiar with trauma’s impact. Your work with us is set up to minimize any re-traumatizing risks. We want you to feel safe and empowered throughout this process.
As a human trafficking survivor, your civil case is an opportunity to reclaim control and demand accountability from those responsible. We are here to support you in your journey.
What is “Trauma Informed”?
“Trauma Informed” means Turley Law Firm prioritizes your safety, trust, and healing while working on your case. Human trafficking survivors are often concerned that pursuing a civil human trafficking case could lead to re-traumatization and derail their healing and progress. A “Trauma Informed” approach mitigates the risk of re-traumatization.
We tailor our approach to your needs and comfort level to avoid re-traumatization during the legal process. Turley Law Firm will also advise when more challenging parts of the lawsuit are ahead so that arrangements can be made for you to have additional support through family, mental health care providers, and friends during those times.
Holding human traffickers and those who profited directly or indirectly from human trafficking responsible can and should empower survivors.
What is human trafficking?
Human trafficking can take many forms.
Women and girls can experience sex trafficking where they are forced into prostitution. The term “prostitution” is inaccurate where human trafficking is involved. There is no decision or choice by the women and girls in these situations; the traffickers are allowing others to sexually assault human trafficking victims for profit. Beyond on-going sexual abuse, women and girls who are sex trafficked are often subjected to physical violence, isolation, and chemical abuse (i.e. drugged) so that traffickers can maintain control of them.
Labor trafficking is also unfortunately common in the United States. In these human trafficking situations, victims are forced to work for no money or extremely low and illegal wages. This can happen in sweat shops, beauty salons, and household services. Like victims of sex trafficking, labor trafficking victims face isolation and physical violence by traffickers.
Common Methods Used by Traffickers
The sad truth is most survivors of human trafficking were trafficked by someone they know. It may be a boyfriend, a husband, a relative, or a seemingly close family friend. Nobody expects to be trafficked. Trafficking victims place their trust in someone who promises a better life, a family, or a job. The trafficker then uses their position of trust to isolate the victim and may rely on threats, physical violence, and chemical abuse (drugging).
Traffickers also frequently target vulnerable individuals who are facing economic hardship, homelessness, uncertain immigration status, and very young individuals.
Human Trafficking in Texas
Texas has the second highest reported number of human trafficking cases in the United States. Houston, Texas has the most cases of human trafficking of any city in the United States; Dallas has the 8th most cases of human trafficking United States cities.
How We Help
Turley Law Firm helps victims of sexual abuse and physical violence navigate the civil court system to seek justice. Texas has strong laws to protect human trafficking survivors.
In Texas, human trafficking survivors can seek compensation from individuals and businesses that directly or indirectly profited from human trafficking. In human trafficking cases, this is often the property owners and property managers where the human trafficking occurred.
Human trafficking frequently occurs in motels, hotels, short term rentals, and other lodgings. Human trafficking is not invisible. Motels and hotels with human trafficking have significantly increased foot traffic in hallways, women entering without any luggage, traffickers renting multiple rooms, and injured and disoriented women. Hotels know about trafficking and the signs to look for. They have an obligation to call the police on human traffickers instead of making money by turning a blind eye to human trafficking at their locations.
The federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act also allows human trafficking survivors to seek compensation from businesses and individuals who profited from human trafficking.
Beyond hotels and lodging, we can evaluate your case to identify others who may be liable such as transportation companies, websites and services that connected you to the trafficker, the individual traffickers themselves, and the persons who abused human trafficking victims.
Can I File Criminal Charges Against My Traffickers?
Only state and federal prosecutors can file and pursue criminal charges. But, we will help and support law enforcement and prosecutors working on the criminal charges in your case. We can share information we obtain through working your civil case with law enforcement to support criminal charges.
Human Trafficking Civil Case Process
The first step in the process is contacting a human trafficking civil attorney. You can call or text us at 214-691-4025, email us at turley@wturley.com, use the chat option on our website, or fill out a form here to discuss your case.
Our initial consultation and evaluation is free. We will discuss the best approach for your case including possible defendants (individuals or businesses who profited from human trafficking), potential claims, and legal strategy.
Turley Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis. This means we only get paid if we get a recovery for you. There is no retainer fee for us to begin working on your case.
Turley Law Firm has served individuals and families hurt by others since 1973 with Integrity, Experience, and Compassion. If you are a human trafficking survivor or have a loved one who suffered through human trafficking, please contact us for a free case evaluation and consultation.
