<p><!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --></p> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong><em>Please note that due to Juneteenth, this month’s Third Thursday training will take place on Thursday, June 26. </em></strong></p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --></p> <p><!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p class="">Prosecutors play a critical role in shaping justice outcomes for trafficking survivors—but traditional approaches often fail to meet their needs. Survivors of human trafficking experience severe trauma, coercion, and systemic harm, yet they are rarely prioritized for Restorative Justice (RJ) solutions, even though these approaches may lead to more meaningful outcomes than purely punitive measures.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --></p> <p><!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p class="">Evidence shows that many survivors do not want to see their traffickers incarcerated—not because they don’t recognize the harm done, but because the criminal justice system often does not provide real relief. Instead, prosecution-focused approaches can force survivors to relive their trauma, leave them without meaningful support, and fail to address the underlying conditions that allowed trafficking to occur in the first place.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --></p> <p><!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p class="">Restorative Justice offers an alternative—one that prioritizes survivor agency, demands accountability from traffickers, and provides lasting solutions beyond incarceration.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --></p> <p><!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p class="">Importantly, trafficking victims have already lost control over their own lives—which makes choice within the justice system all the more essential.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --></p> <p><!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p class="">Prosecutors have the discretion to consider alternative approaches, and RJ presents a unique opportunity to hold traffickers accountable while ensuring survivors receive the autonomy, safety, and resources they need.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --></p> <p><!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p class=""><em>Eligible for 1 Hour of General MCLE Credit in CA</em>.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --></p> <p><!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --></p> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>Please make sure you take the <a href="https://mylmu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eIImOXwcwtklIbk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pre-survey for the training</a>!</strong></p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --></p> <p><!-- wp:spacer {"height":"33px"} --></p> <div style="height:33px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><!-- /wp:spacer --></p> <p><!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p class=""><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Speakers</span></strong></p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --></p> <p><!-- wp:image {"id":4639,"width":"161px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --></p> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prosecutorsalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mercy-Gray-Headshot-.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4639" style="width:161px;height:auto" /></figure> <p><!-- /wp:image --></p> <p><!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p class=""><strong>Ms. Mercy Gray </strong>of the Bulaceño and Kapampangan peoples from the Philippine Islands is a second generation sex worker. Groomed with narcotic restraints and trafficked for sex at the age of 14, she survived in the commercial sex trade for ten years. She is a survivor of much violence: Colonization, Domestic Violence, Assault, Kidnapping, Sexual Assault, Gang Based Violence, Human Trafficking, and as an indigenous transgender woman living in America.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --></p> <p><!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p class="">Currently she serves as Chief Matriarch and founder of 501(c)3 SWATCH – Trans Palace. Diligently working to build representation and healing for transgender survivors and sex workers. Proud Bachelors of Arts in Indigenous Studies graduate from the Native Pathways Program of the Evergreen State College. Consultant with the Department of Homeland Security, National Human Trafficking Technical Assistance Center, and on the Shared Hope International JuST Council. Previously, with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office as an Advocate for Vulnerable Populations (Human Trafficking, Elder Abuse, and Hate Crimes), Programs Manager for New Avenues for Youth Q Center, Programs Director of Innovations Human Trafficking Collaborative. She has built & led direct services from the ground up, fundraising 550K in one year, responding to MMIP at the intersections of trafficking, and built identification and response protocols for tribal nations across Turtle Island. She has also served on the City of Seattle Human Rights Commission and in an advisory role to the Washington Supreme Courts Gender and Justice Commission. Her commitment to public service is only surpassed by the arches of her smile.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --></p> <p><!-- wp:image {"id":4640,"width":"132px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --></p> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prosecutorsalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Stephanie-Richard-Headshot.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4640" style="width:132px;height:auto" /></figure> <p><!-- /wp:image --></p> <p><!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p class=""><strong>Professor Stephanie Richard</strong> is the Director and Faculty Advisor for the Sunita Jain Anti-Trafficking Initiative (SJI) at Loyola Law School. With 20 years of experience tackling anti-trafficking issues at both state and federal levels in California, she has become a respected leader in the field.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --></p> <p><!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p class="">Prior to her role at SJI, Professor Richard directed Loyola Law School’s <a href="https://www.lls.edu/academics/experientiallearning/clinics/rightsinsystemsenforcedriseclinic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rights in Systems Enforced (RISE) Clinic</a>. RISE was groundbreaking as the first legal clinic of its kind in the nation, training and engaging students in trauma-informed direct representation of violent crime survivors. The clinic empowered these survivors to assert their rights within state or federal criminal and immigration enforcement systems, as well as providing essential legal assistance in the civil justice system.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --></p> <p><!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p class="">Before joining Loyola, Professor Richard served as the Policy & Legal Services Director at the Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking (CAST). In this capacity, she managed the largest legal service program for trafficking survivors in the country and led a national technical assistance program for attorneys dealing with trafficking issues. Her extensive advocacy includes federal, state, and local budget and policy work on behalf of survivors. She takes particular pride in her role as policy counsel for the National Survivor Network and Resilient Voices, an LA-based group of survivor leaders.</p> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --></p> <p><!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p class=""> <p><!-- /wp:paragraph --></p>