Let’s get something out of the way: human trafficking in California is very, very real.
For those who are unfamiliar with the term, human trafficking, as defined by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, “is a crime that involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts. The coercion can be subtle or overt, physical or psychological, and may involve the use of violence, threats, lies, or debt bondage.” In fact, many refer to human trafficking as “modern-day slavery,” and given the United States’ history with the practice of slavery, it is sadly ironic that the practice is still being carried out throughout the country.
Victims of human trafficking are both at home and abroad. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 10,949 cases were reported in 2018. And according to federal reports, 14,500 to 17,500 victims are trafficked into the United States every year.
California in particular is a hotbed for the activity. Not only adults, but even children are being forced into labor. For traffickers, it seems there’s no limit to how low they can go.
If you want to help protect victims and stop the spread of human trafficking, we encourage you to check out our Linktree, where we have compiled a list of verified organizations that are helping to end the practice of trafficking.
(Sources: California Department of Justice, National Human Trafficking Hotline, photo by Eak Moto)