Data

THE URGENT NEED FOR DATA

The Problem

Los Angeles is recognized as one of the largest hubs for human trafficking in the United States. Yet, despite this reality, there is no comprehensive data that tells us the true scale or scope of the problem in our communities.

Currently, data on human trafficking in LA is limited, fragmented, and often focused narrowly on specific populations or types of trafficking. We lack the type of research that would allow us to understand how widespread human trafficking truly is—who is affected, in what industries, and what kinds of support they need. Without this knowledge, it becomes incredibly difficult to design effective prevention strategies and direct resources where they’re most needed.

Our Goal

Our goal is to advance local efforts to fund and implement Los Angeles’ first comprehensive human trafficking prevalence study, addressing a critical data gap that has never been filled in California. Through our advocacy, we are urging City and County leaders to support a countywide study that will:

Establish reliable estimates of the prevalence of human trafficking across Los Angeles
Collect demographic data on those affected, including age, gender, race, and the form of trafficking experienced, whether sex, labor, or both
Identify industries most impacted by trafficking, including forced criminality

The Impact

A comprehensive prevalence study would close these gaps and provide the data needed to inform effective, survivor-informed responses, addressing the limitations of existing data that capture only a partial picture of trafficking in Los Angeles.

A countywide study would enable Los Angeles to:

Understand the scale and scope of human trafficking across the County
Create a data-driven plan for allocating resources to prevention, intervention, and survivor services
Strengthen collaboration between City and County agencies, community-based organizations, and survivor-led programs

Together, these outcomes would equip Los Angeles with the information needed to prevent trafficking more effectively and ensure survivor services are responsive, coordinated, and data-driven.

LOCAL ADVOCACY

A Proposal to Fund Los Angeles’ First Prevalence Study

Learn more about why Los Angeles urgently needs a comprehensive prevalence study on human trafficking and how SJI is proposing a plan to fund and conduct this research. The fact sheet outlines current data gaps, the estimated cost and timeline for implementation, and how the study would help local leaders develop data-driven, survivor-informed strategies to prevent trafficking and strengthen services across the City and County.

Fact Sheet: Human Trafficking Prevalence Study

DATA