By: McKenzie Knaub
The Regent University Center for Global Justice’s Human Trafficking Clinic provides limited legal services to victims of human trafficking, focusing primarily on vacatur, expungement, and credit repair under the Debt Bondage Repair Act. These services help dismantle some of the many barriers trafficking survivors face as they work to rebuilt their lives.
This is my second semester working with the Clinic, and it holds a very special place in my heart. Through the Clinic, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to Richmond and Washington, D.C., and to tour a new facility designed to support trafficked youth. This semester I was part of a group of five passionate women who created an amazing, collaborative environment. It’s empowering to have conversations about what systemic change is needed–and, even more so, to work on how that change can be practically achieved. The Clinic’s leader, Meg Kelsey, worked towards getting expanded vacatur and expungement legislation passed for human trafficking victims. Having the opportunity to both contribute to that work and see tangible progress has been incredibly rewarding.
Over the semester, I primarily worked with two clients. One was trafficked as a teenager and again later as an adult, resulting in multiple charges across Virginia. She was referred to us by someone who had supported her during her teenage years. Despite the immense trauma she’s endured, she is now a devoted, present mother to her young children–a truly inspiring individual.
The second client I worked with was focused solely on credit repair. Her trafficker, a former boyfriend, accumulated substantial debt in her name. After escaping that situation, she worked for a trafficking organization and then decided to pursue jobs that would help her learn the skills she wanted to learn– something I deeply admire. Her case presented a scenario we hadn’t encountered before, so I’m excited to see what creative legal solutions we come up with.
Over the past two years, the Clinic has provided me with invaluable experiences. I fully intend to stay engaged in this area of law and to continue advocating for and working with survivors. I am incredibly thankful for the experiences afforded to me by this Clinic, and the impact this Clinic has had on me.
This post was written by a student at Regent University School of Law. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect those of Regent University, Regent Law School, or the Center for Global Justice.