by: Cheyenne Johnson
I had the privilege of joining Chesterfield County Jail’s SKIP 101 class alongside fellow Regent Law students and participants in the HARP (Helping Addicts Recover Progressively) program. The experience was eye-opening and served as a powerful reminder that knowledge truly is power.
SKIP 101 equips inmates with the tools to recognize the signs and stages of human trafficking. From the start, the facilitators created a safe space by inviting the group to establish their own rules: be open-minded, understanding, and kind. That simple act set the tone for vulnerability and trust amongst this group.
What struck me most was the quiet realization unfolding in the room. Several participants began connecting the material to their own stories. In those moments of awareness, sitting side-by-side with individuals processing deep trauma in real time, I witnessed the power of safety.
As law students, we often immerse ourselves in casebooks and perfecting IRAC analyses. But joining SKIP 101 allowed me to sit directly with victims and survivors. I saw how an open, resource-rich environment helps people feel truly seen and safe. At the beginning of class, one inmate shared her dream of becoming a lawyer. Programs like SKIP reinforce my belief that she, and others like her, are fully capable of becoming powerful advocates for justice.
Chesterfield County is modeling proactive justice. Rather than focusing solely on prosecution, programs like SKIP and HARP invest in prevention, awareness, and rehabilitation. By helping participants understand their past and build skills for the future, these initiatives reduce recidivism and support survivors in breaking free from cycles of trauma-bonded relationships and coercion.
This visit reinforced my calling to anti-trafficking advocacy. Prospective law students often write personal statements about their desire “to be an advocate for justice.” My “why” has always been rooting for the underdog and fighting systems that work against the vulnerable. Chesterfield’s ongoing efforts to better its community represent real justice, the kind that should inspire everyone’s why.
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.