The Center for Global Justice at Regent University School of Law is celebrating landmark legislation expanding legal relief for survivors of human trafficking across Virginia, a measure the Center supported through advocacy, research, and student engagement during the legislative process.

Governor Abigail Spanberger signed the legislation, marking a significant step forward for survivors seeking to clear criminal records resulting from their exploitation.

Center for Global Justice Director Meg Kelsey co-chaired the legislative workgroup supporting the bill in collaboration with the Virginia Coalition Against Human Trafficking (VCAHT) and other partners. Faculty, staff, and students from Regent Law’s Human Trafficking Clinic also contributed, meeting with lawmakers in Richmond to share their firsthand experience working with survivors.

“This legislation reflects what we have learned through years of representing survivors,” said Kelsey. “Working directly with survivors, the gaps in the law become impossible to ignore. By continuing to show up in courtrooms, in Richmond, and alongside those rebuilding their lives, we’ve been able to help close those gaps and refine the law step by step. I am incredibly proud of the talented team of Regent Law students who have helped push this historic work forward.”

Under prior law, survivors could seek vacatur only for a limited list of offenses. The newly signed legislation broadens eligibility to include all misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies, reflecting the reality that trafficking survivors are often coerced into a wide range of offenses.

The legislation also introduces procedural improvements designed to make relief more accessible and consistent across Virginia. These include a presumption of victim status when qualifying documentation is provided, helping establish a more standardized process for recognizing trafficking victims. The reforms also provide a clearer pathway for demonstrating that an offense resulted from trafficking, promoting greater consistency across jurisdictions throughout the Commonwealth. Together, these changes reduce uncertainty for survivors and make relief more attainable.

This legislation represents the latest step in an ongoing effort in which the Center for Global Justice has played a consistent role. Since Virginia first established a limited vacatur process in 2021, and following the launch of the Human Trafficking Clinic in 2023, the Center has represented survivors, secured the first successful vacatur petitions in the Commonwealth, and participated in successive legislative efforts to address gaps identified through direct client representation. As each legislative update took effect, the Center gained firsthand insight into remaining barriers and helped inform further improvements.