The Catholic Charities Anti-Human Trafficking Assistance program serves victims of the various forms of trafficking. While many of our clients are foreign-born individuals, there are those who are domestic victims such as runaway minors. Catholic Charities staff is active in various organizations that coordinate efforts to combat human trafficking and to inform the public about this heinous crime. Catholic Charities staff welcomes the opportunity to provide presentations to groups about the local reality of human trafficking as well as our program of assistance to victims.
The program provides victims with the following services:
- Provision of food and clothing.
- Shelter at a safe distance from the site of the exploitation and transitional housing.
- Coordination of medical and dental services.
- Weekly supportive counseling and further mental health services as needed.
- Transportation to and from appointments.
- Orientation to state and federal laws and benefits.
- Assistance with benefit applications.
- Coordination of educational and ESOL services.
- Liaison with law enforcement and immigration service providers.
- Coordination with various community agencies for other required services.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. Anti-Human Trafficking Assistance program has a long-standing commitment to the plight of human trafficking in Southwest Florida by providing intensive case management and mental health counseling to all individuals who are the victims of this crime as they attempt to integrate into society after being rescued. The majority of clients are referred to Catholic Charities by law enforcement agencies and all program participants are required to cooperate with law enforcement in order to receive case management services.
