Human Trafficking Lawyers

If you or someone you know has been a victim of human trafficking in New York, the Law Offices of Steven Gacovino, P.C. can help you understand your rights, pursue justice, and obtain compensation. We have years of experience representing survivors of exploitation, abuse, and coercion, and our team is committed to fighting for accountability under both New York and federal law. All cases are handled on contingency — you do not pay unless we recover for you — and we offer a free confidential consultation. Call or click today to speak with a New York human trafficking lawyer who will protect your privacy and your future.

Understanding Human Trafficking Under New York Law

Human trafficking is defined under New York Penal Law Article 135 as the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person to engage in labor, services, or commercial sex acts. In cases involving minors under 18 in commercial sex acts, proof of force, fraud, or coercion is not required.

Key statutes include:

NY Penal Law § 135.35 — Labor Trafficking (knowingly providing labor or services through coercion, deception, or abuse of legal process).
NY Penal Law § 230.34 — Sex Trafficking (compelling or inducing a person to engage in prostitution through various forms of coercion, including threats, drug dependency, withholding documents, or debt bondage).
NY Penal Law § 230.34-a — Sex Trafficking of a Child.

If you are seeking a human trafficking lawyer New York or a New York human trafficking victim lawyer, understanding the exact definitions under New York law is the first step in building your case.

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Federal Law Definition Of Human Trafficking

Under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), 22 U.S.C. § 7102, human trafficking includes:

Sex trafficking: the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for a commercial sex act induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or involving a person under 18 years of age.
Labor trafficking: the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services through force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.

Federal cases often allow survivors to sue in federal court with broader remedies, making it important to have a federal human trafficking lawyer NY who understands both state and federal procedures.

Types Of Circumstances In Human Trafficking Cases

Survivors may experience trafficking in various contexts:

Sex Trafficking in Illicit Massage Businesses, Strip Clubs, or Escort Services — Often involving coercion through threats, immigration status, or physical abuse.
Labor Trafficking in Domestic Work, Agriculture, or Construction — Workers may be forced to work long hours under threat of harm or deportation.
Online Recruitment and Grooming — Social media and online job ads used to lure victims with false promises.
Trafficking by Intimate Partners or Family Members — Victims coerced into labor or sexual exploitation by someone they know.

Minors in Commercial Sexual Exploitation — Children sold for sex by traffickers or exploiters, sometimes disguised as modeling or performance opportunities.

These scenarios illustrate why it is critical to contact a New York sex trafficking attorney or labor trafficking attorney New York like our law offices who knows how to investigate hidden patterns of control and coercion.

Types Of Remedies For Survivors

Victims of human trafficking can seek several forms of legal relief, including:

Civil damages: Medical expenses, therapy, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and punitive damages against traffickers and third parties who enabled trafficking.
Restitution: Under both state and federal law, traffickers can be ordered to pay restitution to cover losses.
Civil remedies under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (18 U.S.C. § 1595) — Allows survivors to sue traffickers and anyone who knowingly benefited from participating in a trafficking venture.
Injunctive relief: Orders to prevent continued exploitation or contact.
Victim compensation funds: Certain states and programs offer financial aid to victims.

If you are searching for human trafficking compensation New York or civil remedies for human trafficking NYC, an experienced attorney will help you recover every possible category of damages.

Evidence Used in Human Trafficking Cases

A skilled human trafficking attorney NYC will collect and preserve evidence such as:

Survivor testimony and affidavits.
Witness statements from co-workers, neighbors, or clients who observed exploitation.
Communications (texts, emails, social media messages) showing coercion or recruitment.
Financial records showing control over wages, debt bondage, or withheld payment.
Immigration and identity documents withheld by traffickers.
Medical and psychological evaluations documenting harm.
Law enforcement or investigative reports.

Strong evidence supports both a human trafficking civil lawsuit New York and any related criminal case.

Statute Of Limitations for Human Trafficking Cases

The timeframe to bring a claim depends on whether the case is filed under New York or federal law:

New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) § 213-c — Allows victims of certain sex crimes, including sex trafficking, to file civil actions within 20 years of the offense.
CPLR § 214-f — Extended time periods may apply under the Adult Survivors Act or Child Victims Act for specific trafficking-related crimes.
Federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1595) — Civil actions must be filed within 10 years after the cause of action arose.

If you are looking for the statute of limitations human trafficking NY, know that deadlines can be extended in some cases where the victim could not reasonably come forward earlier due to trauma or coercion. Immediate consultation with a best human trafficking lawyer NYC ensures you do not miss your filing window.

What To Do If You Think You or Someone You Know Has Been Trafficked

If you are seeking human trafficking legal rights New York information, follow these steps:

Ensure immediate safety — Call 911 if in danger. You can also call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 (non-commercial resource).
Seek medical attention — Document injuries and obtain treatment.
Preserve evidence — Keep any communications, photos, financial documents, or identification documents.
Avoid contact with traffickers or their associates — Your safety is the top priority.
Contact a human trafficking lawyer New York immediately — We can coordinate with law enforcement, secure protective orders, and begin the civil claims process.

Report to law enforcement — This may include NYPD Vice Division, FBI, or Homeland Security Investigations. Your attorney can help ensure the report is properly documented.

How the Law Offices of Steven Gacovino Handle Human Trafficking Cases

When you contact our office for a file human trafficking lawsuit New York or sue for human trafficking New York, we:

Provide free confidential consultations to assess the facts and explain all available legal options.
Represent clients on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win.
Work with investigators, survivor advocates, and law enforcement to build the strongest possible case.
Pursue both state and federal remedies to maximize your recovery.
Provide ongoing support, privacy protection, and trauma-informed legal services.

Our approach ensures survivors receive compassionate representation and aggressive legal advocacy.

Why Choosing a New York Human Trafficking Victim Lawyer Matters

Familiarity with local courts — New York judges and juries have unique perspectives; local counsel understands the nuances.
Access to local survivor services — We coordinate with shelters, counseling programs, and medical providers.
Efficient evidence gathering — Proximity to the scene, witnesses, and documents increases our ability to move quickly.

If you are seeking the best human traffickin

Take Action Now, Contact the Law Offices of Steven Gacovino, P.C.

Human trafficking claims are highly sensitive, legally complex, and time-limited. If you or someone you know has been exploited, coerced, or abused, call theLaw Offices of Steven Gacovino, P.C. immediately for a free confidential consultation. We are experienced human trafficking lawyers New York who fight for justice and maximum compensation for survivors. All cases are handled on contingency, and your privacy will be protected every step of the way.

Learn More About Human Trafficking at The National Human Trafficking Hotline — confidential, non-commercial support for victims and concerned friends or family.