We Are
Cathartes Advocacy Attorneys

Our mission is to advocate for victims of trafficking and coercion. In many cases, the victim has become reliant on the abuser because of financial dependency. Cathartes Attorneys comes into the picture in order to help advocate for the victim's economic and emotional sovereignty, with the hope that an agreement can be reached before reporting to the FBI. 

 

The experiences of individuals may include psychological gaslighting, financial control, manipulation of the victim's living arrangement, and other circumstances not listed here.

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Cathartes works closely with the National Anti-Trafficking Hotline and local authorities. We are a private firm working exclusively with victims who have had reports filed on their behalf. 

 

Once a report has been filed on behalf of a victim, we will contact the victim before the report goes to the FBI, to ensure the safety of the victim and to work toward an agreement between the victim and the person of interest.

 

Oftentimes, concerned individuals may file reports when circumstances appear suspicious. This happens when a victim has some kind of income coming into a bank account but doesn't have tax returns, or if the victim has the patronage of a well-resourced financier (who is the one controlling the victim's livelihood and resources). 

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Real estate agents and doctors are among the top reporters of trafficking concerns for victims, because they often get a glimpse of the inner lives of victims that are otherwise overlooked by the general public. 

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Since the Jeffrey Epstein case brought much attention to the media, we are encouraging the general public to be wary of code words used for sexual services, including the term, "massage," which typically denotes a sexual act not qualified as professional massage, done in exchange for money or general financial support. 

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In many cases, the victim may become completely reliant on the person of interest because they do not have the ability to break away from the relationship. That's where Cathartes Advocacy Attorneys can help: we advocate for accountability from the person of interest, taking care to protect the victim, and if possible amend the situation without the intervention of the FBI.

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If the person of interest (the one in financial control) does not cooperate, Cathartes must comply with the law and report the situation to the FBI. 

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