FAQS

Currently, we don’t know the overall prevalence of human trafficking. People can experience force, fraud, or coercion in any sector. The best methods for determining rates of trafficking in agriculture may not work well for determining rates of trafficking in the sex trades, the garment industry, or other sectors. Rates of trafficking, and best practices for measurement, also vary among different regions and populations. Fortunately, there have been some promising prevalence studies in recent years. Researchers at RTI International recently explored rates of human trafficking in the construction industry in Houston, Texas. They found that 22% (1 in 5) construction workers had experienced labor trafficking in their lifetime. Another 42% had experienced other forms of labor exploitation, such as working without a contract or being deceived about working and living conditions.

Human trafficking is caused by a number of factors. On a societal level, issues like income inequality and poverty, mass incarceration, systemic racism, and barriers to immigration make some communities vulnerable. On an individual level, issues like housing insecurity, food insecurity, experiences of discrimination, and exposure to violence can make people vulnerable. Traffickers can exploit these factors by promising to meet survivors’ needs – for example, promising to provide housing and employment.

Visit the National Survivor Network.

See our Reports 

Other sources include: 

• Freedom Network USA 
• Human Trafficking Legal Center 
• Journal of Human Trafficking 
• Anti-Trafficking Review

Many on-screen depictions of human trafficking are wrong and harmful.  This list of films about human trafficking, created and curated by the trafficking survivor community around the world, is a good place to take recommendations from.

Mailing address: 3580 Wilshire Blvd, #900-37, Los Angeles CA 90010 

Phone: 213-365-1906

Email: info@castla.org or send a message through our webform.

Media Enquiries: mediarequests@castla.org 

Technical Assistance for Providers: See TTA Info

Cast is a nonprofit organization with 501(c)3 status.

Cast was established in 1998 in Los Angeles, following the El Monte case discovery in 1995. 

Cast provides a comprehensive continuum of care to survivors of human trafficking in Los Angeles County, from a 24-hour hotline and crisis response, to long-term services and survivor leadership. Nationally, we advocate for groundbreaking policies, research human trafficking using our extensive client data, provide training on human trafficking, and empower survivors to become leaders in the anti-trafficking movement. 

Our services are open to survivors of all forms of human trafficking (labor and sex) of all ages, ethnicities, genders and nationalities, in Los Angeles County. All survivors of human trafficking are eligible, no matter when they were trafficked.

Cast was established in Los Angeles and we are headquartered there. We serve survivors who are living in – or were trafficked in – Los Angeles County. Our policy, research, training and survivor leadership programs reach national audiences.

Cast is an apolitical organization. We work with elected officials from every political party and at all levels of government, educating them on human trafficking and supporting initiatives that will help prevent human trafficking and support survivors better.

Cast is a secular organization. Our partners include faith-based institutions, who we collaborate with on identifying and supporting victims.

Because of the sensitive and specialized nature of our work, we generally do not accept volunteers for our work with survivors. We do accept Masters in Social Work students for internships.

We provide training on human trafficking to service providers and organizations serving victims, based on capacity. Please contact us to enquire. See our other training programs.

We are delighted that so many students want to learn more about human trafficking and become experts and advocates. Because of our capacity, we can’t help individual students, but we encourage you to review and share our research and reports.

• Prioritizing Human Rights 
• Self-Determination & Dignity 
• Learning & Sharing 
• Equitable Access 
• Accessibility 
• Inclusion 
• Anti-Oppression

Cast uses a survivor-centered, evidence-based approach to advocacy and policy change. This involved prioritizing the lived experience and expertise of human trafficking survivors to inform legislative and policy reforms. We focus on embracing a human rights and public health framework that addresses the root causes of trafficking, such as poverty, discrimination, and inequities, while advocating for trauma-informed and community-based solutions. By working collaboratively with legislators, community organizations, and survivor leaders, Cast drives meaningful change to dismantle oppressive policies and expand rights and resources for survivors.  

Our policy priorities are updated annually in response to our learning and survivor feedback. Visit our Policy page to find out our current priorities.

Donate – Your gift fuels every part of our work, so that every survivor has access to justice and care. 

Give in Other Ways – There are so many ways to support Cast directly, such as hosting fundraising events, or gifts of stock.  

Educate –  Share Cast’s 24-hour Human Trafficking Hotline:  888-KEY-2-FREE (888-539-2373). Register for free online training and read our latest reports 

Advocate –  Join our campaigns and sign up for policy updates and urgent actions. Ask your representatives to support policies that support survivors.

Join Us – We are always looking for passionate and talented people to join our team.  

Stay Informed -Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated on Cast news and how you can stay involved.  

Follow us on social media

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Yes. See Ways to Give.

Yes, visit our Training & Technical Assistance page.

Yes, visit our Training & Technical Assistance page.