Amara Legal Center provides free legal services to individuals whose rights have been violated while involved in commercial sex, whether involvement was by coercion, necessity, choice, or otherwise, in the D.C. metropolitan area.

We fight tirelessly to provide excellent legal representation to our clients, to connect survivors with vital social services, and to raise public awareness of the legal issues facing our clients.

Services:

*Family Law:
Amara helps clients re-gain custody of their children, who may be in the custody of pimps, family members, or the state. Amara also represents clients in divorce cases from their abusers.

*Public Benefits:
Amara helps clients restore the public benefits and social services that survivors have lost as a result of victimization.

*Expungement of Criminal Records:
Many of Amaras clients have criminal records for prostitution or related charges, even if their involvement in the commercial sex industry was against their will. These records can restrict survivors from finding legal employment, receiving publicly funded housing, and from other social services. Amara assists clients in filing petitions of expungement.

*Advocacy in Criminal Cases:
Many clients require witness advocates in criminal cases against their pimps or buyers. Some clients need a criminal defense attorney as a result of charges brought against them. Amara works with all clients to navigate the criminal justice system and prepare them for testifying in court.

Mission Statement: Amara Legal Center provides free legal services to individuals whose rights have been violated while involved in commercial sex, whether involvement was by coercion, necessity, choice, or otherwise, in the D.C. metropolitan area. We fight tirelessly to provide excellent legal representation to our clients, to connect survivors with vital social services, and to raise public awareness of the legal issues facing our clients.