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Human trafficking survivor and Sunita Jain Anti-Trafficking Policy Initiative (SJI) consultant Mercy Gray recently visited the LMU Loyola Law School campus for the two-day interactive Restorative Justice Conference. Gray led workshops and research on restorative justice for human trafficking survivors in hopes that their shared dialogue could elevate discourse surrounding perceptions of justice.
“In criminal cases involving human trafficking, we often focus on the fact that the harm occurred. Outside of that, there is no evaluation for the harmed party: ‘How do you live your life today to restore yourself?’ None of those things tend to be addressed in a criminal case,” said Gray.
Restorative justice for trafficking survivors can offer an alternative to the harms of the legal system that frequently revictimize survivors. The Restorative Justice Conference, which seeks to transform the way justice is perceived and practiced—shifting the focus from punishment to healing and reconciliation—is just one way in which the SJI strives to address systemic injustices and support survivors of human trafficking.
Rooted in the principles of accountability, dialogue, and community, the Restorative Justice Conference connects individuals affected by harm—victims, offenders, and community members—in a structured process to address the needs of all involved. The program emphasizes understanding the root causes of harm and fostering a sense of empowerment and dignity for survivors.
This year’s Restorative Justice Conference brought together 15 survivors of trafficking and two survivor leader facilitators to dialogue about what alternatives to justice would work for them. Through workshops led by survivors who are experts in restorative justice models, trafficking survivors collaborated, learned, and gained actionable insights on criminal justice and community-based solutions to drive systemic change. SJI has taken this learning from survivors and with support from student advocates hopes to convince the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors or California Governor Gavin Newsom to invest $25 million in one-time funding to pilot the first Restorative Justice program for trafficking survivors in the country as an alternative to incarceration.
“Through SJI’s policy work, we are teaching law students at LLS about restorative justice options because so many people believe that for victims of violent crime the only option is putting someone in jail,” said SJI Director Stephanie Richard. “Lawyers need to know this just isn't the case when you really listen to survivors of human trafficking like we did at the SJI event. If you really take the time to listen to survivors you learn that the majority of survivors, including human trafficking survivors, want resources and support to recover and they do not want to see their trafficker go to jail but ensure they also receive services, so they don’t harm someone again.”
Through this initiative, LMU Loyola Law School empowers its students and community members to think critically about justice and develop skills that challenge conventional punitive systems. The program also aligns with the broader mission of the SJI to combat human trafficking from a public health anti-carceral approach through advocating for evidence based systemic change to prevent trafficking before it starts and increase support for survivors of trafficking long-term. The SJI is a collaboration of the Loyola Social Justice Law Clinic and the Loyola Law School Anti Racism Center.
For more information about the Restorative Justice Conference or to learn how to get involved, visit the Sunita Jain Anti-Trafficking Initiative website or watch this video featuring Mercy Gray, one of the Restorative Justice Conference’s facilitators.