Recruitment for missionary work and causes is a common practice among churches and religious organizations at the local and national levels. Sometimes, representatives from these organizations travel across the U.S. to speak at churches and events, often offering the opportunity to receive ministerial education in exchange for something, such as volunteer work. Most of the time, these opportunities are legitimate, and the intentions are pure. However, a recent federal lawsuit filed against the Atlanta Dream Center Church, Assemblies of God, and other parties claims the defendants operated a disturbing labor trafficking scheme for years.
The human trafficking lawsuit was filed by Atlanta law firm Childers, Schlueter & Smith, in partnership with the Justice Law Collaborative, on behalf of the plaintiff, referred to as “K.D.” It claims the named parties forced the plaintiff into years of unpaid, forced labor under the guise of paying off tuition for education she received very little of.
The lawsuit paints a disturbing picture of inhumane living conditions and treatment, alongside extensive religious manipulation, coercion, isolation, and extortion. The plaintiff alleges that during her time as a “student” of the Church, she suffered emotional and psychological abuse and was sexually assaulted on two occasions.
There is a range of damages the plaintiff is seeking compensation for, including:
- Unpaid labor
- Economic hardship
- Cost of therapeutic services
- Lost earning capacity
- Emotional and psychological distress
- Sexual abuse
The case brings several claims under the Trafficking and Victims Reauthorization Act, negligence, and breach of fiduciary duty. In the U.S., human trafficking victims may file a civil lawsuit against their traffickers, including businesses that financially benefited from and who knew or should have known what was happening.
Inhumane Conditions and Treatment Exposed in Atlanta Church Labor Trafficking Lawsuit
The labor trafficking lawsuit against the Atlanta Dream Center Church alleges devout teens and young adults who lived in impoverished parts of the country were recruited by the Church. These vulnerable individuals were purposefully targeted and promised education to become pastors or missionaries. But what the plaintiff experienced was more like a nightmare she couldn’t escape.
Rather than what the plaintiff was told – that she’d be volunteering in schools and feeding the homeless in exchange for education and room and board – K.D. was forced to regularly work 12–14-hour days, six days a week. This brutal work schedule consisted of chores at the church and unpaid labor at conventions, corporate gatherings, and sporting events, all without adequate breaks for rest or food.
The housing that was provided was deplorable; the plaintiff shared a one-bedroom apartment in a high-crime area with three others and claims that some students had to sleep in vans in dangerous areas of Atlanta.
When it came to food, victims were sometimes forced to eat and serve moldy, expired, and maggot-infested food. Since it was stored in unsanitary conditions and basic health and safety codes were not met, there were sometimes rodent feces in the food. As a result, the plaintiff and others frequently got sick, were malnourished, and access to basic healthcare was non-existent while attending the religious school. In fact, victims still had to work and do chores when they were sick or injured.
The Atlanta Church labor trafficking lawsuit describes how anyone who questioned the conditions, lack of ministerial education, or work they were forced into, or who wanted to leave, was manipulated and told they were ungrateful. Their faith was exploited, and victims were left in fear of what would happen if they tried to escape.
Despite this organized scheme, they never paid a dime to those who performed countless hours of labor. They openly used and benefited from the scheme, not just from the work they didn’t have to pay for, but by making tax-deductible donations to entities that other defendants created.
How Human Trafficking Occurred at an Atlanta Church
In the U.S., human trafficking involves the use of fraud, force, or coercion to obtain labor or a commercial sex act. Victims are lured in a variety of ways, such as manipulation, violence, false promises, and even romantic relationships.
Human traffickers target vulnerable individuals, like those from low-income areas or who are seeking specific opportunities, both of which apply in the Atlanta Dream Center case.
Defendants in the labor trafficking lawsuit took advantage of the hopes and dreams of impoverished teens and young adults who wanted to devote their lives to religious work. They were recruited for a reason and falsely promised that their dreams would be fulfilled; the defendants used their authority and positions of power to gain the trust of young individuals for the purpose of exploiting them and their devotion.
The strategies used in the Atlanta Dream Center lawsuit that kept students “in line” and forced them into unpaid labor are similar to other human trafficking cases. It’s alleged that the defendants manipulated, coerced, and extorted students; they claimed a debt was owed for the education they were being given and that they couldn’t leave because they had to pay it off.
These debts were weaponized by the traffickers, and little education occurred. Instead, the defendants used the victims’ faith as a way to exert control, while ensuring they were kept isolated and lived in fear. All of these factors contributed to how human trafficking occurred at an Atlanta church.
Why Consult with a Labor Trafficking Lawyer
The recent lawsuit filed against Atlanta Dream Center Church, Assemblies of God, and others has exposed a disturbing reality: human trafficking can occur out in the open and can involve several parties that allow it to happen while they reap the numerous benefits. And if they’re able to do it under the radar of law enforcement, justice can seem impossible. However, a civil lawsuit can not only be an effective way to hold perpetrators responsible but also empower victims and ensure they’re properly compensated for the harm and losses they endured.
The Atlanta labor trafficking attorneys at Childers, Schlueter & Smith recognize how mentally and emotionally difficult it is for victims to share their story and seek help. We’re committed to providing a safe, confidential space for trafficking victims to learn their legal options and protecting their rights as compensation is pursued.
Shining a light on the exploitation of individuals is important to help prevent it from happening again, and it can even give victims the courage to share their own story. Since our firm filed the labor trafficking lawsuit against Atlanta Dream Center Church, other individuals have come forward with similar claims and experiences.
If you were forced into unpaid labor by any person or organization, contact our firm online or at 1-800-641-0098 for a free consultation. All inquiries are completely confidential.
At Childers, Schlueter & Smith, our attorneys are dedicated to helping victims of personal injury and/or those who have lost a loved one to wrongful death determine their legal options. We are a distinguished law firm that is driven by years of experience and exceptional results. If you or someone you know has been injured due to another’s negligence, please contact our firm to discuss your legal options.
