Abolitionist Spotlight | Verjine Adanalian
This month's featured anti-human trafficking abolitionist is Verjine Adanalian. Adanalian is a staff attorney with the "Second Chance" project at the Ohio Justice and Policy Center (OJPC). OJPC is a non-profit law firm that fights to create fair, intelligent, redemptive criminal justice systems through client-centered advocacy, innovative policy reform, and cross-sector community education. OJPC offers a spectrum of free legal services, programs, and resources for people in all communities who lack essential support as they navigate the complexities of our criminal legal system. Adanalian primarily focuses on Ohio's Safe Harbor laws, which provides relief for survivors of sex trafficking.
A "double Bearcat," Adanalian received both her Bachelor of Arts in History with a Professional Writing Certificate (’13) and her Juris Doctorate (’17) from the University of Cincinnati. She always knew she wanted to do human rights work but wasn't quite sure how. Coming from a family of Armenian immigrants, she saw firsthand how a lack of resources and access to information impact communities. "My family always tried and worked hard," she states, "they just didn't know how to get where they wanted to go." After finishing law school and passing the dreaded Bar Exam, she met the Honorable Judge Marilyn Zayas at a networking event. Adanalian had always admired Judge Zayas and struck up a conversation with her. This lead to Judge Zayas offering Adanalian to join her re-election campaign. Although Adanalian had no campaign experience, she agreed! Later, she found that OJPC was hosting a two-year Equal Justice Works fellowship, which focused on providing direct services for survivors of human trafficking. She almost didn't apply until Judge Zayas encouraged her to do it, despite her reservations. Adanalian was, of course, chosen for the position, and after the fellowship ended in June 2020, OJPC invited her to stay on and continue her work!
Today, she manages a large caseload, participates in monthly community clinics, creates educational presentations for partner organizations, and maintains many connections. Each survivor of human trafficking has various needs, from basic needs to legal services, so mobilizing each community partner’s or person's strengths is vital. When asked what advice she would give to those just starting their anti-trafficking advocacy journey, she says to read up on this issue as much as you can. Find reliable sources so that you can get a good understanding of what's really going on, not just a sensationalized story. She also cautions against a "saving" rhetoric. "My clients are the strongest people I've ever met," she says. "It's about being a resource for them, not their rescuer."
Thank you, Verjine, for all that you do!