About the Organization
Outreach and Support to Special Immigrants Population (OSSIP) is a comprehensive assistance program for foreign-born survivors of human trafficking supported by Catholic Charities in Oregon. OSSIP provides intensive case management and legal services to survivors of human trafficking, to aid survivors in successfully navigating all aspects of the U.S. legal and social services system, with the ultimate goal of self-sufficiency and self-empowerment for the survivor.
Foreign-born men, women, and children are trafficked into the U.S. for activities including, but not limited to, agricultural work, domestic work, restaurant work, garment work, entertainment and sex industry, begging, use in criminal activities and forced prostitution.
It does not matter how the person entered the U.S., whether they initially consented to being brought here for a job, or whether their current employment activity is illegal (such as prostitution). If at any time they were deceived or coerced into forced labor or the commercial sex industry (or are involved in the commercial sex industry and are under 18), they are a survivor of human trafficking. They may be eligible for services and have legal rights that must be protected.
OSSIP aids survivors in successfully obtaining the benefits to which they may be entitled under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) by working with local law enforcement, social, health care and legal services providers to identify trafficking survivors. It is likely that a trafficking survivor will not know that they have been trafficked or that they are entitled to assistance or benefits as a result of their situation.
How You Can Help
- Become aware of this foreign-born human trafficking population.
- Volunteer with Catholic Charities.
- Make financial donations.
