HHS News

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services For Immediate Release
Administration for Children and Families Date: September 28, 2005
Office of Public Affairs Contact: Jane Norris
Washington, D.C. Phone: 202-401-9215

HHS, City of Los Angeles Launch Campaign to Identify, Assist Victims of Human Trafficking

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in conjunction with the city of Los Angeles, today announced a public awareness campaign to combat human trafficking. The launch is the latest development in a nationwide effort to train those most likely to encounter victims – social service organizations, local law enforcement and health care professionals.

“Human trafficking is, quite simply, modern day slavery,” said Wade F. Horn, Ph.D., HHS’ assistant
secretary for children and families. “This partnership between HHS, Los Angeles and city agencies will help rescue and restore more victims.”

An estimated 14,500 to 17,500 people are trafficked into the United States each year. Victims are trafficked from regions such as Southeast Asia, Latin America, the former Soviet Union and Africa to work in forced labor and sex trades. Earlier this year, Los Angeles was provided a grant through the Department of Justice to create a human trafficking taskforce.

To build awareness on the issue of human trafficking and gain understanding on the methods available to rescue and restore victims, more than 90 organizations have signed on to the Los Angeles coalition and will be trained to help identify victims, creating a grassroots network to reach out to victims and bring them to safety. Once victims are identified, they are referred to the local Los Angeles HHS grantee. Certified trafficking victims are granted access to federal benefits and services, and they may also apply for a T-Visa, a special category of visa designed to help victims regularize their immigration status.

The Los Angeles coalition includes the Commission on the Status of Women, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA), Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST), Catholic Charities, Salvation Army and over 15 city departments that gathered with HHS to officially launch the effort to rescue and restore victims in Los Angeles.

The campaign to Rescue & Restore Victims of Human Trafficking aims to educate Americans about the problem of human trafficking and how they can help victims in their community. A key component of the campaign is the 24/7 toll-free trafficking information and referral hotline, 1.888.373.7888, which provides information and assistance to organizations and victims of trafficking, providing instant referrals to pre-screened aid organizations in their city.

To learn more about human trafficking and the campaign, visit www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking.

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