Why social services?

Trafficked persons require comprehensive care, often including any number of services such as shelter, food, clothing, medical assistance, mental health counseling, legal representation, immigration assistance, family reunification, spiritual support, educational and vocational training and placement, translation and interpretation, and safety planning. This requires a multitude of government and non-government organizations to be able to identify trafficking and appropriately assist trafficked persons, though many are not immediately equipped to do.

Social service professionals work in a range of areas that position them to identify current or past trafficking. Those working with immigrants and refugees, crime victims, and victims of violence against women are likely to assist trafficked people without even knowing it. Others offering public benefits assistance, health care access, housing, or other social services may, unbeknownst to them, interact with trafficked persons as well.

The Global Freedom Center delivers consulting and training to government, private sector and non-government professionals to develop or improve policies and practices to identify or work with trafficked persons. These professionals include social workers, case managers, service providers, and government benefits administrators. The Center also offers train-the-trainers courses for those who want to deploy training to local providers in their communities.

FACT SHEET: Overlooked: Sexual Violence in Labor Trafficking