Post written by Alyssa Juncker – “A Verdict in their Favor: The Value of Research”
Hi, I’m Alyssa Juncker! I am a second-year law student at Regent University School of Law. This is my second semester as a student staff member for the Center for Global Justice.
I was driven to Regent because of their affiliation with the American Center for Law and Justice. I truly believed that God had called me to be the next Jay Sekulow! (haha)
Throughout my first year, God changed my desire from religious rights to protecting the innocent. My best friend, Abbey Hayes, is involved with the Center for Global Justice and encouraged me to join. So far, it has been one of the highlights of my law school career!
Virginia Coalition Against Human Trafficking (VCAHT)
This semester, my team has worked on projects for the Virginia Coalition Against Human Trafficking (VCAHT) and the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE). Earlier this semester, the founder of VCAHT used my team’s Virginia House Bill summaries as he spoke before the Virginia House of Representatives on behalf of human trafficking victims. Personally, I wrote on House Bill 283 and House Bill 257. House Bill 283 amends and reenacts § 9.1-102 and directs the Department of Criminal Justice (DCJS) to establish a compulsory minimum training standard for law-enforcement personnel in recognizing, reporting, and preventing human trafficking. House Bill 257 directs the Virginia State Crime Commission to convene a stakeholder work group to create a uniform definition of human trafficking. VCAHT supported both bills.
National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE)
NCOSE has asked us to research cases concerning FOSTA-SESTA. My team is currently researching cases to determine what standard courts are using in criminal and civil suits. Currently, courts have interpreted FOSTA-SESTA to bear the same actual knowledge standard in both civil and criminal cases. This nearly impossible actual knowledge standard in civil suits has caused many victims’ cases to be dismissed due to a failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. NCOSE’s goal is to change this interpretation which may result in more victims of sex trafficking to receive a verdict in their favor.
I am so thankful that the Center for Global Justice has given me the opportunity to work alongside VCAHT and NCOSE!
This post was written by a Center for Global Justice student staff member. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect those of Regent University, Regent Law School, or the Center for Global Justice.