Amara Legal Center
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Mission Statement
Amara Legal Center provides free legal services to individuals whose rights have been violated while involved in commercial sex - whether that involvement was by choice, coercion, or circumstance.
About This Cause
Amara Legal Center provides free legal services to individuals whose rights have been violated while involved in commercial sex - whether that involvement was by choice, coercion, or circumstance. Most of Amara’s clients are U.S. born, low-income cis- and trans-women of color between the ages of 13 and 29 who are also survivors of sex trafficking. Since its founding in 2013, Amara has provided free legal services to over 500 individuals in the DC metropolitan area. Amara provides representation for some of the most common legal needs for sex trafficking survivors: criminal record sealing, custody, divorce, name changes, civil protection orders, child support and victim witness advocacy. We offer brief legal advice, limited-scope representation, full representation, referrals to social services nonprofits, and referrals to other legal service providers when we cannot provide the necessary legal service. Because victims of trafficking have been subjected to extreme physical and emotional abuse, they have a unique need for trauma-informed services. Amara’s services are designed to recognize, understand, and respond to the trauma clients have endured. Trauma-informed care ensures effective communication with clients and empowers clients to make the choices that are best for their unique legal issues. Since most victims of sex trafficking do not self-identify, one of the primary challenges faced by any service provider is the identification of victims. Many service providers who come into contact with victims are unable to recognize them as victims of sex trafficking. An ongoing part of Amara’s work focuses on building partnerships with these organizations, training them on how to identify victims. provide trauma-informed services and connect them with free legal services when needed. Similarly, Amara raises awareness about sex trafficking, making presentations and disseminating information and resources to students and faculty at area schools that help the identify sex trafficking in their own community, recognize the signs among peers and family members, understand survivors’ legal rights and learn how to access Amara’s free legal services. In pursuit of a more equitable justice system for our clients--one in which poverty is not criminalized and victims’ services are readily accessible--Amara develops initiatives on policies that directly impact our clients.