"In every single case, the victim is going to have some legal issues that they need assistance with," said Cordes, who prosecuted more human-trafficking cases than any other assistant U.S. attorney in the U.S. She said the victims' legal issues can detract from their willingness to serve as government witnesses. The victims may need help with immigration and visa issues, or with collection agencies seeking payment on medical bills for treatment of injuries from abusive clients. Cordes said identity theft among trafficking victims also is common when the criminals open credit accounts in their workers' names. [...] damaged credit can complicate a trafficking victim's ability to secure housing and transportation, Cordes said.