Human Trafficking, U/T Visa Certification, Deferred Action/Statement of Interest
This webpage provides information about human trafficking, including information about how to request that CRD investigate a complaint of human trafficking as well as information about relief that may be available to survivors. In addition, this webpage provides information about how to request CRD’s support in requests to the federal government for deferred action and/or visa certification that are available to victims of certain crimes or labor violations and who assist CRD’s enforcement of the law.
Human Trafficking
What is human trafficking?
Human trafficking is the exploitation of human beings through force, fraud, or coercion for the purposes of commercial sex or forced labor. Human trafficking can occur anywhere and can happen to anyone, including U.S. citizens and both documented and undocumented immigrants. It does not necessarily involve smuggling or moving people from outside of the country or state or from one place to another. Trafficked people may receive pay or wages for their work.
For more information about the legal definition of human trafficking, review the external site linked here:
California Penal Code – external site
Can I file a complaint with CRD for human trafficking?
Yes. Human trafficking violates both criminal and civil law. CRD enforces California human trafficking civil rights law. CRD will receive and investigate complaints of human trafficking. Civil remedies for survivors of trafficking may be available.
To learn more about how CRD can help survivors of human trafficking – including information regarding civil remedies – review the document linked here: Human Trafficking FAQs
How else can I get support for human trafficking?
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911. You may also call a 24-hour, toll-free hotline to access help and services or to report a suspected situation of human trafficking:
- National Human Trafficking Resource Center: call 1-888-373-7888 or TEXT: Be Free or 233733
- California Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST): call 1-888-KEY-2FRE(EDOM) or 1-888-539-2373
To learn more about criminal law enforcement options for trafficking survivors, review the webpages linked here:
- State of California Attorney General website
- United States Department of Justice Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit website
Is human trafficking awareness training required for employees of motels and hotels?
Yes. SB 970 (external site) requires that, by January 1, 2020, hotel and motel employers provide at least 20 minutes of classroom or other effective interactive training and education regarding human trafficking awareness to each employee who is likely to interact or come into contact with victims of human trafficking and who is employed as of July 1, 2019. Employers must also provide such training to new employees likely to interact or come into contact with victims of human trafficking within six months of their employment in that role. An employer who has provided this training and education to an employee on or before January 1, 2019, is not required to provide additional training.