Barrier-Free Legal Support for Survivors of Human Trafficking

ACT is seeking funding to provide free, trauma-informed legal assistance to survivors of human trafficking across Alberta. Survivors often face legal challenges while also navigating trauma, financial insecurity, housing instability, language barriers, and fear of retaliation. Without dedicated support, many struggle to understand their rights or pursue remedies for exploitation.

Survivors supported by ACT have experienced unpaid wages, fraudulent employment agreements, illegal recruitment fees, unlawful deductions, and wrongful dismissal. Some have been charged LMIA or recruitment costs that should never have been their responsibility. Others need help obtaining identification, resolving housing-related legal issues, accessing protective orders, or addressing criminal records connected to their exploitation.

Traditional legal services may not meet these needs. Legal aid may not cover specific issues, may have eligibility requirements or lengthy wait times, and may not address the complexity of trafficking cases. Survivors may also hesitate to engage with legal systems because of trauma, past experiences with authority, language or cultural barriers, or safety concerns.

Barrier-Free Legal Support for Survivors of Human Trafficking will fill this gap by providing individualized legal assistance based on each survivor’s circumstances, priorities, and safety needs. ACT will work with trauma-informed lawyers and legal advocates to connect survivors with appropriate expertise and support them throughout the legal process.

Services will include civil claims, wage recovery and employment standards matters, support related to illegal recruitment fees and exploitative employment, protective orders, compensation claims, and assistance with documentation and legal barriers resulting from exploitation.

While some survivors may require immigration advice, ACT has identified employment and civil legal support as urgent needs. Timely assistance can help survivors recover losses, challenge exploitation, understand their rights, and pursue justice on their own terms.

The initiative will reduce financial and systemic barriers while providing culturally responsive, trauma-informed support. It will help survivors move toward greater safety, stability, autonomy, and long-term recovery.

This funding will directly benefit adult survivors of human trafficking across Alberta, including individuals trafficked to, from, or within the province. Many survivors supported by ACT experience multiple and overlapping barriers, including poverty, employment instability, housing insecurity, language barriers, and limited access to financial and legal resources.

Clients may include newcomers to Canada, migrant workers, Indigenous peoples, racialized individuals, and others who face systemic barriers to accessing legal services. Language barriers can make it difficult for survivors to understand their rights, communicate with legal professionals, and navigate unfamiliar legal systems.

The funding will be particularly valuable for survivors whose legal needs fall outside traditional legal aid coverage or whose cases require specialized knowledge, advocacy, or a trauma-informed approach. Removing the cost barrier will allow ACT to connect survivors with appropriate legal professionals without forcing them to choose between meeting basic needs and pursuing justice.

The broader community will also benefit. Helping survivors recover unpaid wages, challenge exploitative employment practices, and pursue legal remedies can strengthen accountability and contribute to safer workplaces. The initiative will also strengthen connections among anti-trafficking, legal, and community service providers, supporting a more responsive and equitable system for vulnerable workers across Alberta.