Monday, January 11, 2021

Human Trafficking Victims Compensated Nearly $130,000 By CalVCB

 

Every year we recognize January as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. However, our commitment to helping victims and survivors lasts all year.

The Department of Justice defines human trafficking as “a crime that involves exploiting a person for labor, services, or commercial sex.” Worldwide, an estimated 25 million people are victims of labor and sex trafficking, according to the U.S. Department of State 2020 Trafficking in Persons report. California is considered a top destination for traffickers because of its access to major harbors and airports, and because it has an international border. In 2019, the National Human Trafficking Hotline recorded 1,507 cases of human trafficking reported statewide.

Federal and state laws allow victims compensation for lost income directly related to the crime, which includes human trafficking. Further, with the enactment of Assembly Bill 629 (Smith and Gonzalez) last year, victims in California can now be compensated for up to $10,000 of income loss per year they were trafficked, for up to two years. The bill also closes a loophole and allows CalVCB to rely on evidence other than official employment documentation when considering and approving income loss applications for human trafficking, therefore making it easier to provide trafficking survivors access to lost wages. Already this much-needed assistance is helping survivors rebuild their lives. In the first six months of 2020, CalVCB compensated survivors $71,033.65 in income loss.

For the 12 months ending June 30, 2020, CalVCB compensated survivors:

  • Medical: $1,351.44
  • Mental Health: $45,143.61
  • Relocation: $10,387.00
  • Residential Security: $1,117.81

Victims, advocates, representatives and attorneys can apply for compensation in several ways:

 


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