Specialized Services for Victims of Human Trafficking in Chittenden County, Vermont.

The purpose of this proposed project is to enhance and expand specialized services available to human trafficking victims, with a particular focus on identifying and engaging with BIPOC trafficking survivors in Chittenden County, Vermont. In alliance with community partners who work directly with underserved and high-risk populations, including incarcerated trafficking survivors, refugees and homeless youth, HOPE Works will reach victims who have historically been unable to access services. HOPE Works anticipates serving 160 human trafficking victims annually. This project will 1) Improve access to mental health services for human trafficking victims by offering a comprehensive suite of available services to a wider array of survivors, with an emphasis on serving BIPOC sex trafficking survivors; 2) Improve outcomes for human trafficking victims who abuse substances by deepening on-site expertise and establishing a network of clinical, trauma-specific providers, including those providers who identify as BIPOC; and 3) Improve outcomes for more victims who are engaged in civil legal matters by strengthening relationships with community partners who work with historically underserved populations, including BIPOC youth and adults, providing civil legal advocacy to sex trafficking survivors who are involved in the criminal justice system, and making referrals to attorneys for pro bono assistance in a wide array of civil legal matters.