18/09/2025
Cast CEO, Kay Buck, spoke to The Guardian about how funding for critical human trafficking victim services like Cast's hotline are in danger.
'Another group facing imminent loss of funding is the Los Angeles-based Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (Cast), which was founded in 1998 after 72 Thai workers were discovered living in modern-day slavery and debt bo***ge. Cast’s $950,000 justice department grant – supporting a 24/7 hotline, housing and other emergency help – is about to run out.
“Sometimes, when the call comes in, the survivor needs help escaping. They’ve somehow gotten away from their trafficker and are in a traditional hotel or in front of a 7-Eleven and we either send a ride-share or one of our staff members to go pick them up and take them to a shelter."'
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/17/trump-human-trafficking-programs-cut
