California

Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery that occurs in every state, including California. The NHTH works closely with service providers, law enforcement, and other professionals in California to serve victims and survivors of trafficking, respond to human trafficking cases, and share information and resources.

Learn more about human trafficking in California by browsing the hotline statistics below.

View Stats by State

All Time Statistics (Since 2007)

Signals

The Human Trafficking Hotline has received 44,942 signals since its inception.

Hotline Call: 34,998
SMS Report: 5,428
Online Report: 3,289
Email Received: 841
Web Chat: 386

Cases

Since its inception, the Human Trafficking Hotline has identified 12,696 cases of human trafficking. 24,046 victims were identified in these cases.

Statistics by Year

Select a Year:
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2007-2014
2021

Signals Received in 2021

5,257
signals were received by the Hotline in 2021 from California.
1,999
signals received were from victims or survivors of human trafficking

How do contacts hear about the hotline?

It is helpful for us to learn how people hear about the Hotline so that we can strategically advertise to reach more victims and survivors. However, we are not always able to collect this information during every conversation. 

Ways the Hotline was Found

Referral
56

Internet
18

Training/Conference
10

Social Media Site
6

Other
5,167

How do contacts reach the hotline?

People can contact the Hotline by phone, text, online chat, online form, and email. Most people contact us by phone or text.

Signal Types

Hotline Call
3,415

SMS Report
1,180

Online Report
395

Email Received
233

Web Chat
34

Cases Identified in 2021

1,334
cases were identified in 2021.
2,122
victims were involved in these cases. Cases can involve multiple victims.

What types of trafficking cases were reported?

The Hotline receives tips about situations involving sex trafficking, labor trafficking, sex & labor trafficking, as well as situations where the type of trafficking may be unknown or not specified. 

Types of Trafficking

Sex
1,023

Labor
131

Sex and Labor
63
Venues for Sex Trafficking

Illicit Massage/Spa Business
105

Hotel/Motel-Based
88

Pornography
71

Residence-Based Commercial Sex
70

Street-Based
66

Online Ad Venue Unknown
38

Escort/Delivery Service
17

Hostess/Strip Club-Based
6

Bar/Club
4

Other
558
Venues for Labor Trafficking

Domestic Work
26

Agriculture/Farms
12

Peddling Ring
9

Construction
6

Illicit Activity
6

Begging Ring
4

Health & Beauty Services
4

Restaurant/Food Service
4

Health Care
3

Landscaping Service
3

Traveling Sales Crew
3

Other
51

What was the primary request in each case?

People contact the hotline to report a tip, request a referral, or reach out for crisis-related services such as immediate shelter or crisis response.

Requests on Human Trafficking Cases

Report a Trafficking Tip
804

Access Service Referrals
403

Request Crisis Assistance
127

Case Demographics

The Hotline only collects demographic information for victims and survivors in a trafficking situation when appropriate. These numbers are not cumulative as one case could involve multiple victims and survivors.

Ages

Adults
978

Minors
246
Genders

Females
1,108

Males
164

Gender Minorities
12
Citizenships

Foreign Nationals
130

US Citizen LPR
111
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2007-2014

Human Trafficking Hotline Statistics

50,123

signals were received by the Hotline in 2021. Includes calls, texts, and online chats and tips.

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