The American Bar Association Task Force on Human Trafficking, ABA Center for Pro Bono, Polaris Project and Pro Bono Net announce the launch of the Human Trafficking Legal Access Center website. The goal of the site is to provide information and resources for nonprofit organizations that work with human trafficking survivors and to connect human trafficking service providers that offer training, mentoring and supervision to pro bono attorneys who want to work with survivors.
“Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery that violates human rights and human dignity, but lawyers can combat this injustice,” ABA President James R. Silkenat said. “The ABA supports access to justice for victims of human trafficking through the volunteer efforts of pro bono attorneys.”
The Human Trafficking Legal Access Center brings together attorneys and law firms with the nonprofit service providers working with survivors of human trafficking. In addition to a calendar of events, training, news and legal cases, the site will include resources for nonprofits and pro bono attorneys.
With the help of technology developed by Pro Bono Net, service providers will be able to have their contact information listed in a password-protected area where attorneys and law firms that want to provide pro bono services can find them. The site will also host a moderated discussion forum for service providers to discuss the issues they face in arranging legal counsel for their clients. A library of resources for nonprofits, including assessment materials and intake forms, will be available as well.
Resources for pro bono attorneys include links to partner projects, including other human trafficking pro bono projects, and a volunteer opportunities map featuring service providers that offer training, mentoring and supervision to lawyers in their area. A moderated discussion forum will allow attorneys to connect with other pro bono lawyers who have represented trafficking survivors. A library of resources on the legal needs of trafficking survivors will also be available.
Attorneys looking for pro bono opportunities can visit this page and click on the “sign up” button. Individuals affiliated with nonprofit service providers can visit this page and click on the “sign up” button.
Pro Bono Net is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to justice for the disadvantaged through technology solutions.
Polaris Project is a leading organization in the global fight against human trafficking.
