{"id":2033232,"date":"2023-09-15T12:18:02","date_gmt":"2023-09-15T16:18:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/legal-nonprofit-helps-victims-of-human-trafficking-expunge-criminal-records\/"},"modified":"2023-09-15T12:22:48","modified_gmt":"2023-09-15T16:22:48","slug":"legal-nonprofit-helps-victims-of-human-trafficking-expunge-criminal-records","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/legal-nonprofit-helps-victims-of-human-trafficking-expunge-criminal-records\/","title":{"rendered":"Legal nonprofit aids trafficking victims in clearing criminal records."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Flegal-nonprofit-helps-victims-of-human-trafficking-expunge-criminal-records%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2033232&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><div data-post-content=\"true\" class=\"post_content\" id=\"post_content\">\n<p>The United States is plagued \u200dby a high number of human trafficking cases,\u200b with sex trafficking accounting for over half of them. However, \u2063the victims of these heinous \u200dcrimes often face \u2063an additional burden\u2014a criminal record\u200b that follows them for\u200b life. This record includes offenses such as drug possession, theft, or prostitution,\u2062 which were forced upon them by their\u200c captors.<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, there are organizations dedicated to helping these victims legally erase these criminal consequences. One such organization\u2064 is the Joseph Project, based in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Their mission is to assist trafficking\u2063 victims in removing the barriers imposed\u200c by their criminal records, allowing \u2062them to secure good jobs, engage in politics, own\u200b firearms, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/legal-nonprofit-helps-victims-of-human-trafficking-expunge-criminal-records\/\" title=\"Legal nonprofit aids trafficking victims in clearing criminal records.\">obtain legal immigration status<\/a>, and ultimately, rid their lives of the shame associated with their experiences.<\/p>\n<h2>A Voice in the Justice System<\/h2>\n<p>The Joseph Project provides these women \u2062with legal counsel, giving them a stronger voice in the criminal justice system. \u200bAccording to \u2064Nate Knapper, the founder and CEO of the organization, the courts have shown great sympathy towards these women. With legal representation, they have\u200b a higher chance of winning their cases and\u200d securing a brighter future.<\/p>\n<div class=\"shortcode\">\n<div class=\"border-comp-divider mb-4 mr-4 w-full max-w-[500px] border px-5 py-4 text-[16px] leading-[20px] text-[#262626] md:float-left\" id=\"in_article_related_stories\">\n<div class=\"mb-3 font-sans text-[16px] font-semibold uppercase leading-[19px] text-[#2F2F2F]\">Related Stories<\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/homeland-security-committee-says-biden-border-policies-increasing-child-sex-trafficking-5491843\">Homeland Security Committee Says Biden Border Policies \u200dIncreasing Child \u2064Sex Trafficking<\/a>\n          <\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">9\/14\/2023<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\">\n          <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/homeland-security-committee-says-biden-border-policies-increasing-child-sex-trafficking-5491843\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/sen-rubio-urges-us-southern-command-to-screen-sound-of-freedom-5491442\">Sen. Rubio Urges US Southern Command to Screen \u2018Sound of Freedom\u2019<\/a>\n          <\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">9\/14\/2023<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\">\n          <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/sen-rubio-urges-us-southern-command-to-screen-sound-of-freedom-5491442\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>Joseph Project, through the dedication\u2062 of criminal law attorneys \u2062who volunteer their time and expertise, has \u200dsuccessfully cleared or expunged the criminal records\u200d of over 300 trafficking victims since \u20632018.<\/p>\n<h2>Challenging Misconceptions<\/h2>\n<p>Kelsey Dane, an attorney with Joseph Project, emphasizes that many people hold misconceptions and lack sympathy towards these women, assuming they made bad decisions or willingly got involved in trafficking. However, Dane asserts that this is rarely the case. These women often come from difficult backgrounds, and traffickers skillfully \u200bexploit\u200c their vulnerabilities.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>One notable success story is Leslie King, who \u200bbecame the first trafficking victim \u200cin Michigan to receive a gubernatorial pardon. This pardon, granted just days before Christmas, brought immense relief to King, who\u2064 had \u200cendured sexual exploitation, violence, and drug addiction for two decades.<\/p>\n<p>Leslie King shared her experience, stating, &#8220;I couldn\u2019t do anything but throw my hands\u200c up to God and scream. And \u2064I felt that ball just\u2063 break off my ankle. \u200dI\u2019m free. I\u2019m totally free.&#8221; She now dedicates her life to counseling \u2062and supporting other women who have faced similar traumas.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-figure\">\n<figure style=\"width:600px\" class=\"aligncenter\"><figcaption>Leslie King. (Courtesy of the Joseph Project)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>While obtaining a gubernatorial pardon is unlikely \u200bfor most sex trafficking victims seeking to expunge their criminal records,\u2062 Leslie King&#8217;s victory, made possible by \u200dthe legal work of Joseph Project&#8217;s attorneys, serves as a \u200cbeacon of hope. The organization draws inspiration from the biblical account of\u2062 Joseph, a survivor who transformed\u200c from exploitation to empowerment.<\/p>\n<p>Nate Knapper \u200breveals that the clients of Joseph Project span \u2064a wide age \u200drange, from teenagers to individuals in their sixties. While their ethnic backgrounds may differ, \u200dthey share \u2064a common vulnerability resulting from broken families and struggles with drug addiction.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>In addition to Leslie King,\u2062 other beneficiaries of Joseph Project&#8217;s legal assistance have become passionate advocates for change. Ruth Rondon, a survivor of trafficking,\u2062 shared\u2062 her personal story and \u200ccourt \u200dvictory\u2064 with Michigan legislators, highlighting the \u200dbroken system and lack of resources faced by victims.<\/p>\n<h2>Uniting for a Solution<\/h2>\n<p>Joseph Project has been fortunate\u200c to receive pro bono support \u200bfrom attorneys at small, medium, and large law firms. Kelsey Dane, who worked \u2064on the Rondon case, explains that she was drawn to the organization because of its mission to help people. Her involvement has been one of the most fulfilling\u200b experiences in her legal career.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Nate \u200bKnapper, an attorney and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hypocrisy-trump-team-shows-videos-of-democrat-lawmakers-during-impeachment-trial\/\" title=\"\u2018Hypocrisy:\u2019 Trump Team Shows Videos of Democrat Lawmakers During Impeachment Trial\">federal law enforcement officer<\/a>, believes that awareness of human trafficking is increasing due to media coverage and the \u2064success of the movie \u200b&#8221;Sound of Freedom.&#8221; However, he emphasizes that\u200b closing the border is just one \u200cpart of the solution and that there are still\u2062 many misconceptions surrounding the issue.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> How can\u2064 individuals in society\u2062 challenge misconceptions\u2063 and increase awareness about human trafficking in order to support and empower survivors<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Omen who have experienced trafficking, using\u2064 her own story of recovery as a\u2062 source of \u200binspiration.<\/p>\n<h2>The Need for Continued Support<\/h2>\n<p>While organizations \u2062like \u2064the Joseph Project \u2062are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mlb-focuses-recruitment-on-diversity-to-bring-in-more-black-players\/\" title=\"MLB prioritizes diversity in recruitment for increased black player representation.\">making significant strides<\/a> in helping trafficking victims clear their criminal records, there \u2063is still much work \u200bto\u2062 be\u200c done. The United States needs to prioritize the\u200d removal\u2063 of\u2063 these unjust barriers for\u2064 survivors of trafficking, enabling them to rebuild their lives without the constant reminder of their \u2064past.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, it\u200c is\u2063 crucial\u200c that the public is educated about the realities of human trafficking and \u2062the nuances\u200b of \u2064victimization. \u200bBy challenging misconceptions and increasing\u200c awareness, \u200dwe can create \u2064a\u2063 society\u2062 that \u200dsupports\u2062 and empowers survivors rather than stigmatizing\u200b them.<\/p>\n<h2>A\u2064 Call to Action<\/h2>\n<p>As concerned citizens, it is \u200bour responsibility to advocate \u200cfor the rights\u2062 of trafficking victims and support organizations like the Joseph Project in their crucial work. We can do\u200d this by\u200d donating our time, \u200cresources, or expertise, as well \u200bas by spreading awareness within our communities.<\/p>\n<p>Together, we\u2062 can help survivors of trafficking \u2064overcome the challenges they face and create \u200da\u2064 society \u200dthat \u2062prioritizes \u2063empathy, justice, and the \u200bopportunity for a second \u200bchance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>traffickers\u2014makes it difficult for them to escape the cycle of exploitation. With 56.1 percent of human trafficking cases in the US being related to sex trafficking, the country faces a significant problem. Moreover, victims often struggle to break free due to criminal records resulting from forced activities like drug possession, theft, or prostitution.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2335,"featured_media":2033233,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2033232","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2033232","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2335"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2033232"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2033232\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2033233"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2033232"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2033232"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2033232"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}