Fears LA wildfires will lead to increase of human trafficking

By Mary Nguyen

(This story is made possible with the support of the Institute for Non-profit News)

In the wake of the recent Los Angeles Wildfires, dozens of people gathered at a press conference in front of the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors Building to announce efforts about eradicating human trafficking as well as raising awareness to prevent sex and labor exploitation during and after disasters. 

Human Trafficking is also viewed as modern day slavery. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports natural disasters make people especially vulnerable to human trafficking. As California rebuilds, officials warn Angelinos face the same problems of forced labor and exploitation similar to Houston after Hurricane Katrina.

The city of Houston reported after Hurricane Katrina, more than 3,750 workers were believed to have been trafficked. From the early stages of the disaster through recovery and rebuilding criminals will try to exploit survivors’ basic human needs, by posing as responders, offering jobs, or presenting opportunities that are too good to be true.  

The Trafficking Victims Protections Act  (TVPA) defines  sex and labor trafficking. Sex trafficking occurs when a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud or coercion.  Labor trafficking is  obtaining a worker through the use of force, fraud or coercion.  

Representatives from the Asian Pacific Islander Human Trafficking Task Force were also on hand to describe the case management, legal and mental services to victims.  

Labor Trafficking survivor  Boonlue Khadkantha spoke emotionally at the press conference about his experience of being recruited  from Thailand and then coming to the US only to find himself in horrible working conditions, living in cramped quarters. He told of never receiving the pay he was promised. His traffickers used threats and coercion to get him to work in Washington and Hawaii.

Khadkahtah finally escaped from the Traffickers when he got to Los Angeles and received services from Thai Community Development Center which has helped him rebuild his life. 

His perpetrators were finally brought to justice. Organizers say immigrants, undocumented workers, women and children are at a higher risk. Issues such as language barriers, lack of resources and fear are why many victims are unable to get help or report abuse. 

Public Officials, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, labor rights advocates and various organizations pledged to hold traffickers accountable through effective investigations and prosecutions as well as providing education and support for victims of human trafficking.

Rigo Reyes, an executive director from the Office of Immigrant Affairs stated,  “Our communities are facing a very vulnerable time as they recover from the devastation of the wildfires. We must remember that every person – regardless of origin or immigration status- deserves safety and the opportunity to heal and rebuild their lives without fear.”

If you or someone you know is being forced to engage in any activity and cannot leave whether it is commercial sex, housework, farm work, construction, factory, retail, or restaurant or any other activity, you can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or call the California Coalition to Abolish Slavery at 1-888-KEY-2-FRE(EDOM) or 1-888-539-2373.