Michelle Roy

The Project

This Fellowship helped survivors with a range of civil legal issues. Some of these legal issues included accessing public benefits, appealing unfavorable SSI/SSD claims, obtaining child support and custody/visitation, assisting with name changes and vacating criminal convictions. As a Crime Victims Justice Corps Fellow, Michelle provided civil legal services for survivors of human trafficking in the Western New York area. 

Western New York, like much of the country, has a significant number of unidentified individuals who are being trafficked. Michelle partnered with other local agencies and courts to help provide training to help identify and respond to human trafficking. These agencies served as referral sources. Michelle also plans to distribute flyers and Know Your Rights brochures to various organizations throughout Western New York. 

During law school, Michelle participated in a clinic that focused on women’s rights. Through the clinic, she worked with human trafficking survivors and prepared vacatur motions. Michelle also has a master’s degree in social work, which has given her an in-depth knowledge of trauma. As a social worker, she worked in a domestic violence shelter and became familiar with how human trafficking and domestic violence often intersect.