Athena’s Court is the Davidson County General Sessions Treatment Court for survivors of human trafficking and/or at risk of sexual exploitation with involvement in the criminal justice system. Athena’s Court follows the guiding principles of wisdom and strategy, to assist individuals in building healthy and sustainable lives post-justice involvement.
Athena’s Court offers a continuum of care across a multi-disciplinary team and community partners to assist in the support and success of the participants. The multi-disciplinary team includes the Honorable Judge Ana Escobar as Presiding Judge and the Athena’s Court staff, Thistle Farms Residential (Magdalene), Mental Health Cooperative, Nashville Defenders, Office of the District Attorney, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Sexual Assault Center, Office of Family Safety and other service agencies. With support from state and federal grants additional services are offered including housing support, mental health and substance use treatment, therapeutic services, case management, and more.
Athena’s Court is a voluntary program that may take up to 24 months to complete. There are five phases of the program; each phase addresses a different area in the participants life and recovery. The supervision level is more intensive in the Athena’s Court program and decreases as phases are accomplished. The phases of the program are structured to build foundational skills and address needs while also adhering to a court program. Participants are given the opportunity to attend treatment for substance use disorder, to connect with a trauma informed therapist, to meet with mental health providers, to live in supportive housing, and to re-enter the work force. Participants are expected to attend court weekly but as they advance in the program, attendance requirements are lessened.
Athena’s Court accepts referrals from attorneys, judges, and probation officers. Athena’s Court is unable to accept violent offenses at this time.
If you would like to report possible human trafficking or if you are a survivor of human trafficking, please call the Human Trafficking Hotline 1-855-55-TNHTH.
Signs of Human Trafficking Click HERE
For Program Guidelines Click HERE
For Program Referral Click HERE
For more information about Athena’s Court Click Here
Human Trafficking Victim Support
- Through our diversion court for survivors, our office has been able to partner with local non-profits to provide wrap around trauma support and services for survivors of trafficking who are criminally involved.
- That means we are able to provide services to women who are facing incarceration who may be in this position as a result of their trafficking, or from the trauma of past trafficking.
- We provide mental health and physical health services, safe housing, substance abuse recovery via in patient and intensive out-patient treatments, and trauma therapy.
The Human Trafficking Survivors Court Foundation
The Human Trafficking Survivors Court Foundation was established in 2020 to support Athena’s Court, a human trafficking survivors court in Nashville, Tenn.
The Foundation’s Mission Statement
To break the cycle of human trafficking by being a catalyst for awareness, by assisting individuals to transform their lives through collaborative action and community transformation and helping the vulnerable to become the empowered.
The Nashville District Attorney’s office works with several agencies to not only curb this horrible crime, but help the trafficking victims find a new beginning. Hannah is a great example of a young lady who took part in the Athena’s Court program, and now serves a role model for other ladies victimized by human trafficking. Hannah recently met the prosecutors who fought so hard for her in the Nashville District Attorney’s office.