Virginia Beach Justice Initiative

Target demographics: prevent human trafficking and provide support for victims

Direct beneficiaries per year: 83 new victims and delivered over 100 new awareness and information presentations

Geographic areas served: Hampton Roads, Virginia

Programs: Victim Advocacy & Case Management- VBJI provides victim advocacy and case management services for human trafficking victims that request our services. We are presently working with nearly 90 survivors of human trafficking who come to us through community referrals and/or our jail outreach and awareness programs which were held in two regional jails and one city jail within Hampton Roads that house major female populations. To accomplish this, it involved training and vetting volunteer advocates who work with and mentor victims towards a healthy and successful life. As part of our advocacy, we provide emergency food, clothing, shelter, case management services, transportation, court accompaniment, and information and referral to medical, psychological and substance abuse services. Legislative advocacy - in addition, we work with other similar minded organizations to put forth legislation that will improve the outcomes for victims, and hold offenders accountable. We have partnered with Richmond Justice Initiative to advocate for 22 pieces of anti-trafficking legislation since 2011.

Awareness and Education Training- VBJI provided information and awareness training as part of its monthly community meeting, as well as to anyone making the request. In the last year, members of our organization have instructed college students, nurses, doctors, probation officers, public defender offices, health and human services personnel and a host of churches and community groups. It also provides more in-depth area-specific training to first responders and mandatory reporters related to child abuse and its intersection with human trafficking. In addition, we have worked tirelessly to get The Prevention Project, a 6-week curriculum developed by Richmond Justice Initiative targeting high schoolers, into area classrooms and church youth groups. Several high schools across the area have participated and in 2017 Newport News Public Schools worked with VBJI to get a pilot program into their middle schools. Awareness and prevention training is critical to increasing identification and reducing potential for victimization. We also regularly conduct business and tattoo parlor outreaches in an effort to get information out to community members who might encounter victims.