U-M Law Human Trafficking Clinic receives SOAP award

By Katie Vloet
U-M Law

The Human Trafficking Clinic? (HTC) at the University of Michigan Law School has been awarded this year’s Michigan Liberator Award from Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution (SOAP).

The Clinic “was chosen to receive the highest award we give, The Liberator of the Year because they were the first university law clinic in the country to specifically aid victims of human trafficking to help them seek justice. They have been an inspiration to future lawyers, lawmakers and colleges around the United States,” says Theresa Flores, founder of SOAP.

HTC student Rasmeet Singh attended the banquet Jan. 9 to accept the award. “Human trafficking can have such a long-lasting effect on survivors’ lives, but their strength and resiliency has never failed to astonish me during my time working in the clinic. The tenacity of survivors has inspired me in my own work and being able to help them with their various legal needs has motivated me as an attorney and as an advocate,” Singh said.

Additionally, the HTC’s work was highlighted by Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette in his recognition of Jan. 11 as National Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Day. President Obama made a Presidential Proclamation to make this month National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

“We are honored by the recognition of Michigan Law students’ efforts from Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution, and we are pleased that the issue of human trafficking is receiving statewide and national attention,” said Bridgette Carr, HTC founder and director. “Raising awareness of forced labor will help traffickers to be caught, victims to receive assistance and not to be treated as criminals, and the public to understand that modern-day slavery is alive and well in their communities.”