Record Relief for Human Trafficking Survivors
December 5, 2025 | 10:00am-12:00pm
DCJS is pleased to announce that registration is open for an info session on Record Relief for Human Trafficking Survivors. This session will be held virtually.
Description: This two-hour virtual information session will provide a comprehensive overview of record relief options available in Virginia, with a focus on vacatur. The session will begin with a review of record relief laws in the state. Participants will receive a detailed explanation of eligibility requirements and the legal process for vacatur. The session will also include a survivor's perspective to highlight the real-world impact of record relief, followed by a live Q&A segment to address participant questions.
Objectives: By the end of the session, participants will be able to
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Identify who is eligible for vacatur in Virginia and understand the legal steps required to pursue it.
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Understand the importance of record relief from a survivor-centered perspective.
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Access resources to support survivors navigating the record relief process.
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Describe the historical development of record relief for human trafficking survivors in Virginia, including key legislative milestones.
Presenters: Margaret “Meg” Kelsey, J.D., is the Director of the Center for Global Justice at Regent University School of Law, where she leads impactful research and initiatives that promote human rights and the rule of law. She is also the founding director of the Human Trafficking Clinic at Regent University School of Law, where she leads Virginia’s only pro bono legal clinic dedicated to clearing criminal records for trafficking survivors. Under her leadership, the Clinic filed the state’s first successful vacatur petition and has since helped shape state policy to expand legal relief. Meg co-chaired Virginia’s legislative workgroup to reform vacatur and expungement laws for trafficking victims, culminating in the 2025 enactment of broader record-clearing provisions. Her work bridges direct legal advocacy and policy change, advancing systemic justice for survivors across the Commonwealth.
O’livia Reposa brings over a decade of lived experience and seven years of professional expertise in the anti-trafficking field. In 2021, she founded The Surviving Change Foundation to bridge the gap between survivors and law enforcement through education, advocacy, and collaboration. Olivia also provides consulting and support for survivors navigating the vacatur and criminal record relief process, and delivers trauma-informed care and training to organizations and professionals across sectors.
Intended Audience: This training is intended for survivors of human trafficking with a criminal record in Virginia and anyone who may work or interact with survivors, especially attorneys, victim advocates, and community corrections.
Cost and Registration: This training is free. Participants must register in advance.
For more information, contact:
Blane Sawyer, State Trafficking Training Coordinator