FORCED CRIMINALITY

ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF YOUTH

The Problem

Youth trafficking is often understood primarily through the lens of commercial sexual exploitation, and while this remains a critical concern, it is not the only way young people are trafficked. Youth may also be trafficked for labor in homes, businesses, or other workplaces and are frequently not identified as victims. Even less recognized are youth who are forced or coerced to commit crimes as a form of labor trafficking, a practice known as forced criminality.

In these situations, traffickers exploit young people through threats, violence, debt, or manipulation, compelling them to engage in illegal acts such as drug sales, theft, or fraud for the trafficker’s benefit. Because these youth are often encountered through law enforcement or the juvenile justice system, their exploitation is frequently overlooked and they are treated as offenders rather than survivors. Failing to recognize forced criminality as a form of labor trafficking prevents youth from accessing protection, services, and trauma-informed care, and instead exposes them to punishment for harm they did not choose.

Our Goal

Our goal is to ensure that all trafficked youth, including those coerced into criminal activity, are recognized, protected, and supported as survivors of exploitation. Through local and state advocacy, we seek to expand existing systems so that youth trafficked through forced criminality receive the same protections, identification, and access to services as youth who are commercially sexually exploited.

The Impact

Recognizing forced criminality as a form of labor trafficking would shift how systems respond to youth who have been exploited. Rather than being criminalized, these young people would be identified earlier, connected to trauma-informed services, and supported through coordinated systems of care. Expanding protections would reduce harm, improve long-term outcomes for trafficked youth, and ensure that responses are grounded in accountability for traffickers rather than punishment of survivors.

LOCAL ADVOCACY

Ensuring Equal Protections for All Trafficked Youth in Los Angeles County

SJI is advocating for Los Angeles County to recognize and respond to youth trafficked through forced criminality with the same commitment and infrastructure currently used to support Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC). Since 2012, the County has developed a strong framework for CSEC that includes specialized training, safe housing options, youth-centered diversion zones, and coordinated cross-agency task forces.

We are urging the County to expand this framework to include all labor-trafficked youth, including those coerced into criminal activity, so that they are identified as victims, safely guided to services, and supported through coordinated, trauma-informed systems rather than punished for their exploitation.

STATE ADVOCACY

Strengthening the Child Welfare Response to Labor Trafficking

Just as Los Angeles County is working to ensure youth trafficked by forced criminality are recognized and supported, statewide change is also needed to close the gaps that leave many labor-trafficked children invisible. Across California, reports of child labor trafficking are rising, yet the child welfare system still recognizes only sex trafficking as a form of child abuse. As a result, youth who are labor trafficked—including those coerced into criminal activity—are rarely screened or identified as victims, resulting in missed opportunities to connect them with safety and care.

SJI is supporting statewide legislation that would update California’s definition of child abuse to include labor trafficking. This change would extend the same protections currently afforded to commercially sexually exploited children (CSEC) to all trafficked youth, ensuring they are identified early, connected to trauma-informed services, and no longer overlooked within the systems meant to keep them safe. Strengthening state policy is essential to ensuring that every trafficked child—regardless of how they were exploited—receives the support and recognition they deserve.

Legislative Proposal: Preventing & Protecting Children who are Vulnerable to Labor Trafficking

EXPLORE THE ISSUE

Identifying and Addressing the Needs of Youth Who are Labor Trafficked By Forced Criminality

SJI developed a Policy Report and accompanying Fact Sheet to highlight how the child welfare system and other County and City agencies can do more to address the needs of labor-trafficked youth—especially those coerced into criminal activities. In addition to highlighting service gaps, the report aims to raise awareness among policymakers, service providers, and community members about the hidden nature of forced criminality and the urgent need for trauma-informed, youth-centered interventions.

Download Fact Sheet

Read Report

Jimmy Lopez, Lived-Experience Expert

Jimmy, a survivor of labor trafficking for forced criminality, shares his experience of being criminalized instead of recognized as a child victim of trafficking. He also recalls that when he was arrested and detained, there were many other children in the facility with stories just like his

Human Trafficking by Forced Criminality and Its Intersection with the Child Welfare System

This training introduces forced criminality as a form of labor trafficking, highlights key warning signs and screening strategies, and shares trauma-informed approaches for identifying and supporting youth impacted by this exploitation. It is designed for frontline professionals—including educators, law enforcement, social workers, attorneys, and service providers—who may encounter trafficked youth in their work.

Watch Training

Youth at Risk: The Impact of Labor Trafficking by Forced Criminality

Hear from Lived-Experienced Experts

On July 10, 2025, SJI hosted an insightful panel discussion on labor trafficking by Forced Criminality (LTFC) and its impact on youth. Panelist explored the complex intersections of homelessness, gang involvement and LTFC, shedding light on how these vulnerable groups are targeted and exploited. Attendees heard powerful testimonies from individuals with lived experiences, offering a firsthand perspective on the challenges and realities faced by youth who are labor trafficked by forced criminality. The discussion also covered potential solutions and actionable steps that can be taken to address and mitigate the impact of LTFC on youth. You can view our recording by following the link below.

Watch Video

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