Advancing Civil Rights and Equity Through Access to Comprehensive Services for Historically Underserved Alaska Survivors of Labor and Sex Trafficking

This award to Alaska Institute for Justice (AIJ) will provide a comprehensive range of direct services for underserved immigrants in Alaska who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by inequality. Direct services will include immigration legal services, information and referral, personal advocacy, crisis intervention, safety planning, referral for shelter, education/employment, and skill-building services. AIJ will follow a victim-centered and trauma-informed approach to ensure survivors have the opportunity to make informed decisions about the support they need to work through the impact of the crime, address the issues that may have shaped the trafficking situation, and work toward achieving their personal goals. Expected outcomes include increased access to a comprehensive range of direct services that advance civil rights and equity and access to justice; enhanced support for underserved and marginalized human trafficking crime victims; and strengthened overall community safety and trust between law enforcement, service providers, and Alaska's most underserved communities. AIJ will partner with the Alaska Literacy Program Immigrant Peer Leader Navigators (PLNs), Standing Together Against Rape (STAR) sexual assault program, Catholic Social Services Refugee Assistance Program (CSS), Alaska Native Justice Center (ANJC), Anchorage Police Department Cyber Crimes Unit, Anchorage U.S. Attorney’s Office, Anchorage FBI, and Alaska Department of Labor to meet the comprehensive direct services needs for underserved labor and sex trafficking survivors.