The trafficking of humans for the purpose of sexual exploitation is not just a problem that exists in underprivileged communities and nations. This is a crime that’s taking place right in our neighborhoods, in places you drive by on your way to work or a night out with friends. Those who are victimized include adults and children, men and women, and even those from respected and affluent families. In essence, this is a crime that can affect anyone at any time. As human trafficking lawyers in California, we know all too well that the physical and emotional scars that victims have to deal with.
Our legal team is here to advise you on the legal rights of sex trafficking victims and ensure that the people who harmed you do not get away with their actions. As one of California’s premier personal injury law firms, we have the skills and resources to investigate trafficking cases and build a solid case against the perpetrators. If you are in need of a sex trafficking victim lawyer in Los Angeles, don’t hesitate to contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Statistics on Sexual Trafficking in California
According to the state government of California, The Golden State is number one in the United States when it comes to the number or human trafficking cases. This is based on reports of trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
In 2020, there were 1,334 known cases of human trafficking (statistics by the
World Population Review
). As you can see, sexual trafficking isn’t just a handful of isolated incidents, and it’s clear that the California human trafficking law serves an essential purpose. Sadly, many of the world’s biggest criminal enterprises are based on the trafficking of human beings. It’s estimated that trafficking is a global industry that generates around $150 billion every year. It’s shocking to think about the countless lives that are damaged or destroyed by a system that is the ultimate form of modern-day slavery.
Victims of sexual trafficking are frequently forced into sexual activity with up to 15 customers a day, or face the risk of physical assault and other punishments by their traffickers. Many of the exploited individuals are kids as young as 12 years old. The truth is, over 50% of trafficking victims are children, and someone becomes a human trafficking victim
every 30 seconds
.
Do you need legal support for minors in sex trafficking cases? Normandie Law Firm has lawyers with experience in sex trafficking lawsuits. We are ready to hear your story and advise you on the best course of action.
Per the California Department of Justice, human trafficking refers to the act of “compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts.” Coercion can include verbal manipulation, along with violence, intimidation, threats, and debt bondage. However, coercion does not need to be a factor in cases involving minors who are sex trafficked. In these instances, the mere engagement of a minor for the purpose of commercialized sexual activity is considered sex trafficking.
The majority of trafficking victims are runaways, people struggling with poverty, immigrants, domestic or sexual abuse victims, and kids in foster care. Below are some other facts that pertain to the trafficking of victims for sexual exploitation:
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Most people who are sex trafficked are female, but boys / men and transgender individuals can also be targeted for trafficking.
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One in 7 sex trafficking victims are minors that run away from home.
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Females in the foster care system are especially vulnerable to sexual trafficking.
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It’s estimated that sexual trafficking has generated profits of $99 billion worldwide.
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Around 9,000 of the massage parlors operating in the U.S. are used for sex trafficking.
As a sex trafficking victim, you have the right to seek criminal prosecution, but this is not the only form of justice that may be available to you. A lawyer for sex trafficking victims can talk to you about your rights and how you can achieve justice through the civil court system. For sex trafficking legal help from an experienced attorney, contact us to schedule a free case review.
Recognizing the Signs of Sex Trafficking
To help you recognize the signs of sex trafficking, here are the red flags to look out for according to the U.S. Department of State:
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Multiple people appear to be living in a cramped space, like a single room
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Poor living conditions
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The way they answer questions seem scripted or rehearsed
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They do not speak to anyone unless someone else is with them
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Whoever they work for is holding their license, passport, and other identifying documents
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The person seems anxious, fearful, or submissive
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The person is under 18 and engaging in prostitution
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They receive very little pay, if they are paid at all.
The National Human Trafficking Hotline also has information on
recognizing the signs
of human trafficking, which include:
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Children living with a family member who is abusive and/or has a substance abuse problem.
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The person is prostituting and has a manger or “pimp.”
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Working in places / industries where being pressured into sexual activity is likely to happen, such as strip clubs and massage parlors.
Who is Liable in Sex Trafficking Cases?
Pimps, gangs, smugglers, relatives, and many other individual and entities can be liable in a sex trafficking case. The responsible individuals normally face criminal prosecution before any civil action, and this is due to the following reasons:
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The trafficking must be stopped immediately.
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There is a need to punish the criminals to the fullest extent of the law.
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The criminal case can deter sex trafficking by others.
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Criminal cases have a much higher burden of proof, so a timely investigation and gathering of evidence is crucial to ensuring that the wrongdoers pay for their crimes.
In essence, a criminal conviction is based on whether the prosecution proved their allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. A sex trafficking civil lawsuit, on the other hand, is decided on the preponderance of evidence. The criminal conviction is one of the strongest forms of evidence for a civil case. That’s why it’s important to have a California sex trafficking lawyer by your side that can fight to introduce the conviction into evidence. Our team of female and male sex trafficking lawyers in Los Angeles can also introduce police reports, medical records, and witness testimony into evidence to make your case as strong as possible.
Please note that you can still proceed with a lawsuit even if the other party is cleared of criminal charges. For more information on compensation for sex trafficking victims, give us a call to speak with a sexual exploitation attorney.
Can a Hotel be Sued for Sex Trafficking?
Yes, a hotel can be sued for sex trafficking under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). In recent years, there has been greater focus on the role of hotels and similar lodgings in sex trafficking activities.
Hotels have a legal duty to protect guests and visitors from sexual assault and other crimes. That’s why hotels can be sued for breach of contract, lack of security and other examples of negligence. These places are commonly used by traffickers, as hotel staff tend to mind their own business and ask little to no questions. The relative anonymity and private space for sexual activity make hotels ideal locations for sex trafficking.
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act
The TVPA allows sex trafficking victims to sue hotels under the legal concept of premises liability. When hotel owners, management, and staff ignore the signs of trafficking on the property, the business may be liable for damages sought by the victim. The TVPA is actually the former name of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) or the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008. A TVPRA sex trafficking lawyer is here to assist you if you would like more information on this law and the protections that are available to you,
Can a Motel be Sued for Sex Trafficking?
Yes, you can sue a motel for sex trafficking with help from a lawyer that specializes in civil litigation for sex trafficking. Compensation claims can be filed against motels and motel chains, even if they are not direct participants in human trafficking. However, some hotels are aware that such activity occurs on their premises and knowingly benefit from these crimes. Even if they were not profiting from a sex trafficking operation, hotels may ignore the signs of such activity and fail to contact the authorities.
In 2023, a
lawsuit
was filed against G6 Hospitality for being complicit in “sex trafficking at a hotel location in California,” including Motel 6 and Studio 6 chains. The victim, who was sex trafficked between 2012 and 2016 claimed that she was “beaten and sexually abused” at 5 different hotel locations. The lawsuit alleged that staff knew what was going on, but failed to do anything in spite or red flags, such as a “daily parade” of unregistered guests coming in and out of the hotels.
The hospitality brands named in the lawsuit include Choice Hotels, Marriott, and Hilton Hotels, along with G6. The federal courts ruled that while the hotels did not participate directly in these activities, the case met the standard of complicity under the TVPRA. Specifically, the plaintiff was allowed to proceed with a claim for compensation against G6.
If you were sex trafficked and need the best sex trafficking attorney in Los Angeles, California, look no further than Normandie Law Firm.
Civil Damages in California Sex Trafficking Cases
A civil case is filed against perpetrators and third parties that are liable for sex trafficking for the purpose of securing monetary damages for the victim. This is payment that’s meant to compensate victims for their physical injuries, emotional pain, on-going physical suffering, and loss of income due to medical expenses and other financial burdens. It also serves as a way to punish the wrongdoers, whether or not they were found guilty of a criminal act.
For most victims, compensation for emotional trauma from sex trafficking is the most important aspect when it comes to a settlement or judgement. The emotional toll of sexual exploitation can stay with victims for their rest of their lives, and it’s essential to fight for maximum payment in areas like pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. Our legal team works with some of the best mental health counselors and doctors in Southern California, who can help victims work through the trauma of being trafficked.
As we mentioned earlier in this article, many victims of sex trafficking are minors. Some of these individuals do not have parents or adult guardians they can rely on, thereby making it harder to initiate a lawsuit for human trafficking. We are here to offer help for survivors of child sex trafficking, so please reach out for guidance from a sex trafficking attorney in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Attorneys Experienced in Sex Traffickers Cases
If you would like to explore the option of taking legal action against sex trafficking in California hotels, please get in touch with us at your earliest opportunity. Our law firm has decades of experience in sexual abuse cases, including sex trafficking and TVPRA hotel liability. We understand the emotional and legal complexities of litigating sexual crimes, and how to achieve the best possible results on behalf of our clients.
The Los Angeles sex trafficking lawyer of Normandie do not ask for any payment upfront. Under the Zero Fee Guarantee, we will provide you with sex trafficking legal representation for $0. Then, we will add the cost of legal fees to our settlement demands with the defendant. So, as long as we win your case, our expenses are paid for by the guilty party. And you are spared from paying a single penny for legal services if we don’t win your case.
We look forward to meeting you and going after those who profit off the sexual exploitation of others. For a free, private consultation with a sex trafficking lawyer near you, contact our Los Angeles office today.
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