California Immigrant Policy Center Guide to Assisting Survivors of Trafficking and Domestic Violence in California

In January of 2007, California became the first state in the nation to provide assistance to survivors of trafficking, domestic violence and other serious crimes while they take steps to qualify for federal support. The California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC) in alliance with advocates for survivors of domestic violence and trafficking and the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, sponsored this legislation which has offered a veritable lifeline of support to trafficking and other victims, helping them and their children find a safe environment and become self-sufficient.

CIPC is happy to announce the release of a guide to assistance for victims of trafficking, domestic violence and other serious crimes in California. To read, click here

Although this document is a technical guide for advocates who help victims of trafficking and domestic violence, it is really much more. It helps open the door to a new life for people who in many cases have suffered unspeakable crimes and have no where else to turn. CIPC thanks authors Tanya Broder of the National Immigration Law Center and Sheila Neville of the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles for the extraordinary work they did to provide this critical information.

The report, which is called "Benefits for Immigrant Victims of Trafficking, Domestic Violence and Other Serious Crimes in California," includes information about state and local benefits available to survivors of trafficking and others who are in that critical period when they have not yet qualified for federal aid, but are in great need of medical attention and other services to help them cope with the abuse they have suffered. These include health care services under Medi-Cal and Healthy Families, as well as assistance under the CalWORKs program, the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), nutrition assistance, job training and other critical services.

The 13-page report includes a helpful benefits chart that can be used to determine what benefits are available to a client and a list of websites for further information. It also includes a list of organizations that provide legal services if a client or advocate is having difficulties determining a person's eligibility for benefits.