Sunita Jain Anti-Trafficking Initiative

06/17/2026

KFI AM 640 invited Professor Stephanie Richard, Director of the Sunita Jain Anti-Trafficking Initiative at Loyola Law School, to discuss human trafficking and major sporting events ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

During the interview, Professor Richard addressed common misconceptions about trafficking during major events, highlighted the evidence showing increased risks of labor trafficking, and discussed the need for stronger worker protections, human rights, and accountability measures before, during, and after major sporting events.

Listen to learn more about labor trafficking, prevention strategies, and what Los Angeles can do to better protect vulnerable communities.

06/15/2026

Contact Governors Newsom today!

https://www.gov.ca.gov/contact/

The California Legislature has spoken. Both the Assembly and Senate have included $20 million in funding for the Human Trafficking Victim Assistance Program (HTVAP) in the state budget—a critical investment in safety, healing, and support for survivors of human trafficking across California.

Now, the final step is ensuring that Governor Newsom includes this funding in the final June Budget Act.

HTVAP is California's only dedicated state funding stream for survivors of both labor and s*x trafficking. This funding supports housing, legal services, crisis response, case management, counseling, and other life-changing services provided by organizations across the state.

📞 Take action today!

Call Governor Newsom at (916) 445-2841 and urge him to include the Assembly and Senate HTVAP funding proposals in the final budget.

Need help with what to say? A sample call script and additional advocacy resources are available through the link in our bio.

Together, we can ensure California maintains its commitment to survivors and the organizations that make safety, healing, and freedom possible.

Governor Gavin Newsom survivors are counting on California to follow through.

06/12/2026

Loyola Law School Students: Applications are still open for SJI's Anti-Trafficking Law & Policy Practicum!

Students gain hands-on experience engaging with policymakers, analyzing legislation, conducting policy research, and advancing survivor-led solutions at the local and state levels.

Learn how government decisions impact communities and how you can help shape them.

Apply today. Link: www.lls.edu/sunitajain/advocates-in-actioLoyola

06/08/2026

⚽ The FIFA World Cup begins this week!

Major sporting events can increase risks of labor exploitation and labor trafficking. Help raise awareness by downloading and sharing our free outreach materials.

Visit our website to access resources and learn how you can help prevent exploitation, support survivors, and protect workers during the games.

www.lls.edu/sunitajain/preventing-trafficking-sporting-events

⚽ ¡La Copa Mundial de la FIFA comienza esta semana!

Los grandes eventos deportivos pueden aumentar los riesgos de explotación laboral y trata laboral. Ayúdenos a crear conciencia descargando y compartiendo nuestros materiales gratuitos.

Visite nuestro sitio web para acceder a recursos y conocer cómo puede ayudar a prevenir la explotación, apoyar a las personas sobrevivientes y proteger a los trabajadores durante los juegos.

www.lls.edu/sunitajain/preventing-trafficking-sporting-events

05/28/2026

How stories are told matters. This new article from Columbia Journalism Review explores the ethical responsibilities journalists and media outlets have when reporting on trafficking. The article was published in response to concerns raised by advocates, survivor leaders, and organizations following a recent New York Times article about Figueroa Street in Los Angeles that many felt relied on harmful “rescue” narratives and risked further harm to vulnerable young people.

The article also includes perspectives from our SJI Director Stephanie Richard, who shared: “The piece raises urgent questions about trafficking in Los Angeles. But it also reinforces carceral myths that many survivors and advocates have spent years working to dismantle.”

Looking back at a New York Times magazine story to examine what responsible coverage of s*x trafficking looks like—and what it doesn’t.

05/22/2026

Support AB 1245 (Stefani) to help strengthen worker protections and prevent public dollars from supporting forced labor, labor trafficking, and exploitation in supply chains connected to public contracts.

As California prepares for the Olympics, World Cup, and other major projects, AB 1245 would strengthen accountability around how taxpayer dollars are spent on goods and services.

AB 1245 will be heard in the Senate Governmental Organization Committee on June 9, 2026.

Support letters are due by end of day on June 1.

Learn more and access the support letter template and instructions:

www.lls.edu/sunitajain/ab-1245

05/22/2026

Today, we had the opportunity to present before the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Civilian Oversight Commission to bring attention to the unintentional harm systems can cause to youth who are labeled as “offenders” or “delinquents,” but who may actually be experiencing trafficking.

We presented about labor trafficking by forced criminality, where youth are forced, manipulated, or coerced into committing crimes for the benefit of others. Too often, these young people are criminalized instead of identified as victims of exploitation.

Addressing this issue requires systems to look beyond the offense itself and better recognize the role of coercion, control, and trauma. Prevention, early identification, trauma-informed responses, and stronger collaboration across systems are critical to protecting vulnerable youth.

Thank you to the Commission for inviting us to present and for creating space for this important conversation.

05/19/2026

LA28 released a Human Rights Strategy for the 2028 Olympics, but did not attend the City’s Ad Hoc Committee hearing to discuss it publicly.

During public comment, concerns were raised that the strategy lacked dedicated funding, accountability, and concrete steps to prevent trafficking, protect workers, and support survivors.

As our Policy Associate Paloma Bustos stated, “Without dedicated investments, the burden will once again fall on City systems and community-based organizations that are already struggling to meet current needs.”

Organizations including CAST, Thai CDC, Saving Innocence, CARECEN, and the LA Worker Center Network emphasized the need for prevention planning, worker protections, coordinated response protocols, and stronger community-based investments ahead of the World Cup and Olympics.

05/14/2026

SAVE THE DATES! National Days of Action on Federal Funding Delays. May 14-18, 2026.

Over the past year, domestic violence shelters, r**e crisis centers, and other programs serving survivors have experienced federal funding delays. Further delays could force programs to lay off staff, reduce services, or close their doors, leaving survivors with nowhere to turn.

Survivors deserve better. Congress must act NOW.

Contact your Senators and Representatives and urge them to take action on federal funding delays.

Call 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Senator or Representative’s office.

You can also send a pre-drafted email directly to Congress. It only takes seconds to complete. Click the link: https://nnedv.quorum.us/campaign/162461/

05/12/2026

We are a month away from the first soccer matches for the World Cup taking place in the United States. It’s important to remember that human trafficking does not begin or end on game day.

The FIFA World Cup will host matches beginning June 12 in Los Angeles. Prevention must happen before, during, and after the tournament. Public awareness, worker protections, survivor informed responses, and community based support systems are critical to reducing harm and strengthening community safety ahead of the World Cup.