DATA
THE URGENT NEED FOR DATA
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, direct resources where they’re most needed, or hold traffickers accountable.
That’s why the Sunita Jain Anti-Trafficking Initiative has made it a priority to advocate for a prevalence study in Los Angeles. We are urging local and state leaders to fund and support a comprehensive, county-wide study that captures both sex and labor trafficking across different populations, including immigrant communities, youth, and those experiencing homelessness.
Why a Prevalence Study Matters
A comprehensive prevalence study would help the City and County of Los Angeles combat human trafficking and better serve survivors by:
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Collecting accurate data on the prevalence of human trafficking.
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Gathering demographic information on survivors, including race, gender, age, and type of trafficking.
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Identifying geographic areas, labor and service industries, and systems (e.g., criminal legal system) where trafficking occurs.
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Clarifying the scope of both labor and sex trafficking—including often-overlooked areas like forced criminality.
This kind of data would give local leaders the ability to:
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Design more effective prevention strategies.
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Improve outreach and early intervention efforts.
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Expand and tailor services to meet the specific needs of survivors.
Estimated Cost and Timeline
Based on similar studies in other jurisdictions:
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A countywide prevalence study would cost approximately $1.5 million and take about 3 years to complete.
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A citywide prevalence study would cost approximately $1 million and take the same 3-year timeline.
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