Comprehensive Services for Human Trafficking Victims

The purpose of the project is to develop, expand, and strengthen Covenant House New Jersey’s (CHNJ) Human Trafficking Victims services program (HTVS), which provides equitable, culturally competent, trauma-informed support and promotes survivor autonomy for human trafficking victims of all ages throughout New Jersey. Services that will be provided through this project include outreach, Spanish-language behavioral health care, and legal support. CHNJ will also enhance its outreach and public education efforts to identify additional victims of human trafficking, including males and victims of labor trafficking. Through this award, CHNJ will hire two Anti-Human Trafficking Public Education & Referral Specialists to identify sectors with a high volume of trafficking incidences and to collaborate with cultural centers and other sites within communities where large populations of foreign nationals reside. Targeting all 21 counties of NJ, CHNJ will conduct workshops to identify, engage, advocate for, and provide emotional support, safety, and assistance to potential victims of trafficking.  CHNJ will also conduct training sessions for NJ service providers, providing information about their services and referrals and establishing and strengthening partnerships for collaborative work. CHNJ will provide much-needed language-specific behavioral health services for victims of human trafficking by hiring a bilingual therapist to provide therapeutic services for victims of trafficking via in-person, in-home or virtual treatment sessions. Legal services including advocacy, accompaniment, and criminal and civil justice system assistance will be provided by CHNJ to victims of human trafficking who are ages 18-24 through this project. Staff Attorneys will provide support on matters including, improving access to VCCO funds, and supporting human trafficking victims with immigration, restraining orders, filing police reports, addressing municipal charges, and other legal matters to remove barriers to self-sufficiency. Through the activities of the project, CHNJ will achieve the outcomes of connecting victims of trafficking to critical services; ensuring that more victims achieve security, autonomy, and healing; and supporting victims to achieve self-sufficiency and well-being.