Gina Fiorilla Cavallo, a survivor of human trafficking, was arrested for crimes she was forced to commit while being exploited. Long after escaping trafficking, those charges remained on her record—limiting her access to stable work and housing and shaping how others perceived her.

What should have marked the start of recovery instead became another barrier. Cavallo’s experience underscores a broader pattern: survivors of trafficking are often penalized for acts tied directly to their exploitation.

“I was treated like a criminal”  

Gina thought after escaping trafficking, she would find the help she needed to rebuild her life. Instead, Gina and many others like her often find themselves still trapped by the aftermath of the trafficking they experienced.

Cavallo shared in USA Today: 

Many trafficking victims are arrested and charged for offenses that are a direct result of their exploitation. This is part of how traffickers keep control. We’re told the police will see us as criminals, not victims. When you do get arrested, it makes that feel true. It keeps you scared, quiet and less likely to ask for help. 

Gina’s experience is far from isolated. Across the United States, survivors continue to face criminal charges for acts committed under coercion. These records can create lasting barriers to employment, housing and education, and in some cases, jeopardize child custody.

Experts say this outcome contradicts the basic understanding of trafficking. By definition, trafficking involves force, fraud, or coercion. Yet justice systems often fail to reflect that reality. As a result, many survivors are effectively burdened by the consequences of their exploitation even after they escape.

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