By: Destiny Fernandes
This summer, I had the opportunity to serve as a Legal Fellow with Shared Hope International through the support of the Center for Global Justice. One of the most meaningful projects I worked on involved researching crime victim compensation programs and examining how these systems serve survivors, particularly survivors of human trafficking. My experience with this project provided valuable insight into the intersection of law, public policy, and access to justice.
Crime victim compensation programs are designed to provide financial assistance to individuals who have suffered harm as a result of crime. These funds can help cover expenses such as medical care, counseling, lost wages, and other costs associated with victimization. At first glance, these programs appear to be an important tool for supporting survivors and helping them rebuild their lives. As I learned more about victim compensation, however, I discovered that access to these resources is often more complicated than expected. Through my research and participation in discussions with survivors and professionals in the field, I gained a better understanding of the barriers many survivors face when seeking assistance. While some individuals successfully received compensation that helped them recover and move forward, others encountered significant challenges navigating the application process or meeting eligibility requirements. In some cases, survivors of serious crimes received very limited compensation or were denied assistance altogether.
This experience taught me an important lesson that I will carry with me throughout my legal career: having a law or program in place does not automatically guarantee justice. Effective legal systems must also be accessible, understandable, and responsive to the realities people face. For survivors of trafficking and other forms of exploitation, factors such as fear, trauma, or delayed reporting can create obstacles that traditional legal frameworks do not always adequately address.
Beyond the substance of the project itself, I gained valuable professional skills. I strengthened my legal research abilities, learned how to analyze policy issues from multiple perspectives, and developed a greater appreciation for survivor-centered approaches to advocacy. Working on this project challenged me to think critically about how laws operate in practice and the role attorneys can play in identifying and addressing systemic barriers.
My internship at Shared Hope International has reinforced my commitment to public interest law and social justice advocacy. The opportunity to contribute to work that supports survivors and promotes meaningful policy change has been both rewarding and inspiring. As I conclude my fellowship, I am grateful to the Center for Global Justice for making this experience possible and for supporting opportunities that allow students to engage directly with issues affecting vulnerable populations.
This summer showed me that meaningful change often happens not only through creating new laws but also through improving existing systems so they better serve the people they were designed to help. Moreover, this summer has confirmed my desire to pursue a career that combines legal practice with public service. While there is still much work to be done in the fight against human trafficking, I leave this internship encouraged by the dedication of advocates, policymakers, and survivors who continue to push for meaningful change. Thank you to the Center for Global Justice for making this experience possible. It has been an invaluable step in my professional and personal development.
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.