LOS ANGELES (May 4, 2026) —The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (Cast), the largest direct service provider supporting survivors of human trafficking in the U.S., today announced it has received nearly $1 million in funding from The Douglas Foundation over a three-year period to sustain and expand its 24/7 emergency hotline and rapid response services, providing critical support to survivors of sex and labor trafficking in the greater Los Angeles region.
Cast’s 24/7 Human Trafficking Hotline and emergency response program serve as a vital entry point for survivors seeking immediate assistance. Through the hotline, trained advocates offer crisis intervention, safety planning, and connections to comprehensive services, including emergency shelter, legal support, medical care, and long-term case management. Cast’s emergency response team works around the clock to address urgent situations and ensure survivor safety and connection to resources that support their healing.
Actor and board member Michael Douglas shared, “The Douglas Foundation is proud to support Cast’s vital work, bringing safety, justice, and hope to survivors of human trafficking right here in Los Angeles. It’s a cause Kirk and Anne Douglas would have championed wholeheartedly. Every survivor deserves a path forward, and Cast makes that possible.”
“This generous support from The Douglas Foundation enhances Cast’s ability to be there at the most critical moment, when a survivor reaches out for help,” added Kay Buck, CEO of Cast. “Our 24/7 hotline is often the first connection individuals make who are escaping exploitation. With this investment, we can respond quickly and ensure that no call for help goes unanswered.”
Human trafficking remains a widespread and complex problem in communities across the country, impacting people of all ages, backgrounds, and places. Los Angeles is a key center for trafficking due to its proximity to major transportation hubs and international migration flows.
As demand for services continues to rise, sustained funding is essential to ensure immediate, trauma-informed responses and support pathways to long-term recovery and prevention. From July 2024 to June 2025, Cast responded to 2,207 hotline calls, the highest annual volume in its history, and now receives an average of 200 urgent calls each month. When survivors cannot access services, their risk of re-exploitation increases dramatically, underscoring the urgency of this investment from The Douglas Foundation.
This support is especially timely as federal immigration enforcement raids heighten vulnerability in the Los Angeles area. These raids create a climate of fear that discourages immigrants from seeking help or engaging with providers like Cast. Traffickers often exploit this fear, using threats of deportation or reporting to ICE to maintain control and prevent victims from seeking safety and freedom.
If you or someone you know is being forced to participate in any activity and cannot leave, whether it’s commercial sex, housework, farm work, construction, factory, retail, or restaurant work, or any other activity, Cast’s hotline is available for support. Victims of human trafficking are protected under U.S. and California law. The hotline is available in more than 240 languages, is not connected with law enforcement or any government agencies and is accessible 24/7 by calling 888-KEY-2-FREE (888-539-2373).
For more information about Cast, visit www.castla.org. For more information on The Douglas Foundation, visit https://douglasfoundation.org.
About Cast
The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (Cast) is the country’s leading provider of comprehensive, survivor-centered services for people affected by human trafficking. Using its integrated, trauma-informed approach, Cast offers vital resources, coordinated care, and clear pathways that help survivors find safety, stability, and long-term independence.
As a national leader at the forefront of direct service, policy innovation, and systems change, Cast promotes scalable, evidence-based solutions to prevent trafficking and enhance protections for survivors nationwide. Guided by a human rights and public health framework, Cast and its coalition of partners work toward a future where trafficking is not only addressed but also eliminated through education, advocacy, and survivor leadership.
About The Douglas Foundation
Founded in 1964 by Anne and Kirk Douglas, The Douglas Foundation is committed to promoting social justice, equity, and human dignity through strategic philanthropic investments that support vulnerable communities and foster systemic change. Since its founding, the Foundation has awarded over $118 million to more than 200 organizations to enhance education, healthcare, and the arts, making them more accessible to the people of California.
