Nonprofit Assists Human Trafficking Survivors in Credit Repair

A nonprofit organization in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is stepping up to assist victims of human trafficking in fixing their credit as they move towards rebuilding their lives.

Safe Haven Ministry, which supports survivors of domestic abuse and human trafficking, has recently received the means to confirm their victim status under the Debt Bondage Repair Act.

Amanda Kolegrove, the Trafficking Task Force Coordinator at Safe Haven Ministries, explained that traffickers often take out credit cards or loans in the victim’s name and fail to repay them. This creates significant obstacles for survivors trying to restore their lives.

“When they finally escape their situation, all of this manifests as their past,” she noted. “It’s a method traffickers use to exert control over them.” This makes it hard for victims to secure housing or loans for necessities, like transportation.

Kolegrove emphasized that the debt bondage repair law opens new avenues for clients to reclaim their lives and attain independence. Certifying a client’s victim status is just the initial step; they then must navigate through the procedural intricacies of each credit reporting agency to see if the actions of traffickers can be purged from their records.

How long this process will take remains uncertain, according to Kolegrove. “Survivors who wish to resolve these issues need to be patient; it’s not a quick process,” she remarked. “Ultimately, it all hinges on the credit reporting company’s decisions.”

She also mentioned that utilizing resources for stolen identities could potentially aid in alleviating some debts, though it wouldn’t entirely eliminate them.

“The main issue is that this offers them a shot at improving their credit scores, which is a crucial step in their journey to rebuild after trafficking,” she added.

If you or someone you know requires assistance, Safe Haven Ministries can be contacted 24/7 at 616.452.6664.