Lutheran Social Services administers the only program providing comprehensive and social services to noncitizen human trafficking survivors in Massachusetts. In the past two years, the LSS Human Trafficking Legal Assistance Center has assisted more than 30 individuals – mostly women and children – to embark upon the path to American citizenship through partnerships with law enforcement, prosecutors, volunteer medical professionals, and social service agencies. 
 
This week, the Lutheran agency embarked upon a drive to raise financial support to continue this program of legal and social service assistance for human trafficking survivors.  A private benefactor has offered a $15,000 challenge. To date, other donors have contributed $6,550 to the match.  Contributions can be made online at gifts.lssne.org.

“We are thrilled with the passage this week by the state’s Legislature of a new law to combat human trafficking.  The timing is great for us and our appeal for this program that fills such a huge gap,” states Heather L. Feltman, president and CEO of the Lutheran agency.  “This will pave the way for us to broaden our services to reach more survivors and equip more people and organizations to reach out as well.  It will significantly support and strengthen our impact in this area!” 
 

The new law includes

• new criminal statutes to hold offenders accountable, 
• a statewide task force,
• increase in penalties for those who purchase sex to combat the demand for sexual trafficking
• a provision establishing “Safe Harbor” for minors exploited through the commercial sex industry,
• several other provisions creating supports and services to victims and survivors. 

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley’s issued a statement that included the following:

“The Legislature has taken a major step toward ending the exploitation of children and other victims in our Commonwealth.  The passage of this bill recognizes that these crimes aren’t only occurring in other countries and other states, but right in our own communities . . .   I want to recognize and thank the many victim advocates who work every day to support victims of these crimes. . . I want to thank the many survivors of human trafficking who shared their personal stories to help other victims—their voices helped make the passage of this bill a reality.”

“I congratulate Julie Dahlstrom, Esq., and her entire legal assistance team for their untiring efforts on behalf of survivors.  This legislation will generate a heightened need for services, and Lutheran Social Services is well positioned to respond,” Feltman concluded. 

Contact:  Martha Lindberg Mann, 781-997-0814 or mmann@lssne.org