Human Trafficking Project

In April 2007, SWCC contracted with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to provide case management services for persons certified by the Office of Refugee Resettlement as victims of human trafficking. Because of our bilingual case management capabilities and experience in working with persons with a mental illness, we are in a unique position to extend our services to victims/survivors of human trafficking.
“Human Trafficking” is today what used to be called “indentured servitude” or “slavery” in the past. The terminology may be different but the construct is the same:  persons are subjected to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage or slavery through the use of force, fraud or coercion. They are deprived of the most basic human liberties and freedoms. The United States Congress passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to combat this heinous crime.

SWCC is a member of the Hawaii Coalition Against Human Trafficking. Our connection to victims of human trafficking in Hawaii begins after the victim has entered into the U.S. refugee and immigration process specified for human trafficking cases. We collaborate with other coalition agencies to provide social services to victims as they seek to transition back into a “normal” life.

For more information about the program, please contact Dominic Inocelda at 847-1535.