In the News

Dear friends,  Following the result of the 2024 US presidential election and other critical races in California, we know many of you are concerned about how systemic injustices will impact people across this country, particularly survivors of human trafficking.  At Cast, we’re taking stock and taking heart. We have weathered...

California, one of the wealthiest states in the US and the 5th largest economy in the world, is also home to the largest population of unhoused people. The urgency of this crisis cannot be overstated. One in five unhoused people in this country are in California. We need immediate and...

Slavery didn't end in 1865. It only changed forms. In California, slavery as punishment is still legal. Forced prison labor in the United States has its roots in American slavery. Despite the 13th Amendment's promise to end slavery, a critical loophole has allowed involuntary servitude to persist within the prison...

For many years, Cast has supported survivors who have experienced criminalization over the course of their lives. Some were arrested or incarcerated before being trafficked, and made vulnerable to traffickers as a result. Some were criminalized during or after their trafficking experience, including for crimes that they were forced to...

What is 'Forced Criminality'? One of the most misunderstood aspects of human trafficking is "forced criminality." Also known as criminal exploitation, forced criminality happens when people are coerced into illegal activities like using or transporting illegal drugs, committing identity theft and violent crimes, or engaging in illegal sex work. In...

In light of the allegations against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, Cast CEO Kay Buck discusses the pervasiveness of human trafficking with Giselle Fernandez on Spectrum News 1. It’s Not Just Celebrities: Kay Buck on Human Trafficking in Light of Diddy Accusations

AB 1956, authored by Assemblymember Eloise Reyes, passed unanimously in the Assembly Public Safety Committee. The bill requires California to support funding for essential crime victim services when there are reductions in funding of more than 10%. The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) deposits funding into the Crime Victims Fund,...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Human Trafficking Legal Center is thrilled to launch the Harriet Tubman Fellowship. The Fellowship is inspired by Harriet Tubman, the courageous American abolitionist who helped more than 300 people escape from slavery. Inspired by Tubman’s legacy of freedom, the Harriet Tubman Fellowship will provide support for...

In a landslide vote of 414-11, the House of Representatives passed comprehensive legislation authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) to reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act for five years and strengthen and expand successful anti-trafficking programs to bolster the fight against modern-day slavery. “This critical legislation reauthorizes funding for FY2024 through 2028—a total of five...

Attorney General Bonta has joined a coalition of attorneys general representing 32 states and territories urging Congress to provide critical support and services to victims and survivors of crime by taking steps to increase the Crime Victims Fund (Fund) with short-term, bridge funding. The balance of the Fund, which was...

Cast has been nominated for The For Freedom Impact Award, which highlights organizations that Freedom United has partnered closely with on modern slavery campaigns in 2023, raising awareness and securing significant changes for a world more resilient to modern slavery. Voting is now open to the public  and will continue...

The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) supports state and local programs aimed providing services to victims of crime, including those who have been trafficked, through the Crime Victims Fund (CVF). Unlike other government programs funded by taxpayer dollars, the CVF is financed by fines and fees collected from the prosecution...

Cast helps people who have been forced, threatened, or tricked into any kind of work, including commercial sex, by providing legal and social services. You could be a human trafficking survivor if... (READ MORE)

CAST is a go-to resource for media, policymakers, community members and the philanthropic community to access information about human trafficking. Check out our Resources page here.    

Human trafficking can have numerous lasting impacts on survivors’ lives. These include mental health impacts, such as depression and PTSD; physical health impacts, such as chronic pain, injuries, and exposure to sexually transmitted infections; housing instability or homelessness; and legal issues related to immigration, child custody, eviction, and vacatur or...

Cast was selected as one of 25 organizations across the U.S. to leverage data and technology to advance racial equity in policing, prosecution, and prevention. This initiative was supported by the Urban Institute and Microsoft Justice Reform. Our project was specifically focused on 'Forced Criminality', which refers to the act...

Don't miss out on the latest happenings at Cast. Our November newsletter has got you covered. Be in the know and stay informed by checking it out today. November Newsletter 2023

Cast applauds recent motions by the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors to address the housing and mental health needs of survivors of violence. We are encouraged by the County's adoption of a public health perspective when addressing human trafficking. Cast has over 25 years of experience providing direct services for...

Human trafficking can have long-term effects on survivors’ mental health. Additionally, many of the conditions that make people vulnerable to trafficking, such as poverty and discrimination, can also have long-term effects on mental health.³ One of the most common outcomes is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This briefing note explores the...

In response to the Sound of Freedom movie, survivors of human trafficking have compiled a list of movies exploring broader aspects of trafficking that are often overlooked. This list is focused on the root causes of human trafficking and was vetted by survivors around the world. Root causes include lack...