Removing Barriers to Legal Services for Asian Pacific Islander Victims of Human Trafficking

The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) will implement the Removing Barriers to Legal Services for Asian Pacific Islander Victims of Human Trafficking Program. The purpose is to allow immigrant and limited English proficient victims of human trafficking meaningful and comprehensive access to legal services; equip community organizations to adopt a trauma-informed, victim-centered, culturally competent approach to serving immigrant and LEP victims; and identify and remove specific barriers to access of legal services for immigrant, LEP Chinese and Filipino victims of trafficking in greater Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Project activities include legal staff  providing direct civil legal services to victims of trafficking; providing specialized training and technical assistance to community organizations; collaborating with community organizations and law enforcement agencies to raise awareness of trafficking and victims’ options for legal recourse; collaborating with immigrant, LEP Chinese and Filipino community stakeholders to identify and respond to barriers they face in accessing legal services; hosting public awareness and outreach campaigns for the targeted communities; and working with an external evaluator to assess LAFLA’s efficacy in implementing community input in the service delivery model.