Berkshire DA's Office Providing "Hope Bags" to Trafficking Victim

There is some new help for those who have been victims of human trafficking, and it comes at the hands of the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office.

According to a media release from the Office of District Attorney Andrea Harrington, the DA’s Office has purchased and put together 50 Hope Bags for victims of human trafficking. On Friday, the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office staff filled the backpacks with clothing, first aid kits, hygiene products, hand sanitizer, wipes, snacks, reusable water bottles, referrals for social services, and more.

The members of the Berkshire Domestic and Sexual Violence Task Force will identify individuals and coordinate the distribution of the bags throughout Berkshire County as needed.

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These bags tell victims that the community cares about them and is ready and able to help. This DSV Task Force project is particularly powerful because the victims do not need to be involved in the criminal justice system to receive help. This is street-level, immediate care to victims in a vulnerable place and truly meeting them where they are at. ~ District Attorney Andrea Harrington

The District Attorney’s Office had previously won a $15,000 from the Massachusetts Office for Victims Assistance and used a portion of that to purchase the necessities and bags. The grant from the office’s Human Trafficking Trust Fund provides direct service to victims of human trafficking by providing them the essentials to stabilize. The Berkshire District Attorney’s Office also uses funds from the grant to provide victims with temporary housing, transportation, and food assistance.

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