The legal system treats human trafficking cases like any other crime, but they require a specialized understanding.
The Merced County Sheriff’s Department in California discovered several migrants who were human trafficking victims living in “horrible” conditions and working as apparent indentured laborers at an illegal marijuana grow operation in Merced on July 26, 2023. Courtesy of Merced County Sheriff’s Department
Human traffickingis one of the most horrific crimes imaginable. It’s an assault not only on a person’s freedom, but on their identity, autonomy, and humanity. Yet in the United States, justice for survivors remains the exception rather than the rule. Despite increasing awareness and advocacy, the legal system is still fundamentally unequipped to address the complexity and trauma inherent in these cases.
