Sexual Trafficking

Sex trafficking is one of the most devastating forms of human exploitation, stripping individuals of freedom, safety, and dignity. The United Nations’ International Labour Organization estimates that 27.6 million people worldwide are victims of trafficking, with about 6.3 million—nearly one in four—enduring commercial sexual exploitation. Women make up the majority of those trafficked, and children remain among the most vulnerable.

For survivors, the trauma is profound and lasting. Beyond the physical and emotional toll, trafficking often leaves scars of financial instability, disrupted education, and social stigma. Many survivors must also contend with criminal records tied to coerced acts, as well as barriers to healthcare, housing, and employment. This page provides a clear understanding of what sex trafficking is, how it impacts survivors, and the legal rights and remedies available. It is designed to raise awareness, expose hidden systems of exploitation, and empower survivors with pathways to justice.

What Is Sexual Trafficking?

Sex trafficking occurs when individuals—whether adults or children—are forced, coerced, or manipulated into performing sexual acts for money, goods, or other benefits. Traffickers frequently rely on fraudulent promises, threats, violence, and debt manipulation to maintain control. Trafficking can happen anywhere: in hotels and motels, residential care facilities, massage parlors, brothels, or even through online platforms and social media. For minors, any commercial sex act, regardless of whether force, fraud, or coercion is proven, legally qualifies as sex trafficking.

Roots and Realities

Sex trafficking often begins with fraudulent recruitment—false promises of employment, education, or security—or with outright abduction. Victims are then moved across borders or isolated within communities, cut off from support systems. Once under the traffickers’ control, survivors are subjected to tactics ranging from threats and physical abuse to debt bondage and psychological manipulation. Those brought into the United States face particular vulnerability when their immigration status, lack of resources, or fear of authorities leaves them dependent on their captors.

The trauma of sexual trafficking is far-reaching. Survivors frequently develop PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and may suffer long-term health consequences. Many live with shame and fear, while struggling to rebuild their lives under the shadow of exploitation.

We fight for justice when you can't fight alone.

Finding an experienced legal team that earns your trust is essential. Our attorneys are not only experienced litigators—they are advocates trained to support survivors with empathy and integrity. We understand the sensitive nature of sexual abuse cases and offer trauma-informed representation every step of the way. With decades of experience and a team of expert sexual abuse attorneys, we have the resources and resolve to take on powerful institutions and win. Whether you’re ready to file a lawsuit or are just exploring your options, we are here to listen and help.

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Statutes of Limitations

One of the most important considerations in filing a trafficking claim is the timeframe in which survivors are allowed to pursue justice. Because trauma often delays disclosure, statutes of limitations can play a decisive role.

At the federal level, there is no civil statute of limitations for survivors who were trafficked as children. Thanks to the Eliminating Limits to Justice for Child Sex Abuse Victims Act (2022), minors who experienced trafficking may bring claims at any time, no matter how many years have passed.

States vary in their timelines, but many have expanded protections. For example, California imposes no criminal statute of limitations for trafficking involving force, fraud, or coercion, and allows civil lawsuits for several years depending on the nature of the crime. Georgia sets no criminal time limit but requires civil claims to be filed by age 23 or within two years of discovering the injury. Michigan provides a 25-year window for certain civil trafficking claims. These deadlines matter because most survivors do not disclose what happened to them until adulthood. Expanding or eliminating these timeframes reflects a trauma-informed, survivor-centered approach that prioritizes healing over arbitrary deadlines.

Rights of Survivors

Survivors of sexual trafficking are entitled to recognition, respect, and protection. The law ensures:

Recognition as victims, not criminals—even when coerced into illegal acts
Access to support, including medical care, counseling, safe housing, and legal assistance
Privacy and dignity during investigations and legal proceedings
Protection from retaliation by traffickers or institutions
Immigration relief for non-citizen survivors, such as visas or legal status under U.S. law
Both civil and criminal remedies, including prosecution of traffickers and lawsuits seeking compensation

Seeking Justice

Taking legal action against traffickers is never easy, but it can be a powerful step toward healing and accountability. Survivors may pursue criminal charges that bring traffickers to justice, while also filing civil lawsuits to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, emotional harm, and long-term impacts.

Because the legal system can feel overwhelming, having a trauma-informed attorney is essential. Skilled legal advocates can gather critical evidence, protect survivors’ privacy, and navigate institutional obstacles. They ensure that survivors’ voices are heard and their rights defended. Beyond individual healing, these cases also help dismantle networks of exploitation and protect others from harm.

Survivors of sex trafficking deserve justice, dignity, and the full measure of support as they rebuild their lives. With compassionate legal guidance, it is possible not only to hold traffickers accountable but also to create safer communities where this form of abuse can no longer thrive.

Kayla's Survivors - A Different Kind of Law Firm

At Kayla’s Survivors, we stand with survivors—those who have endured sexual abuse, assault, misconduct, or institutional neglect. As a survivor-led, woman-led law firm, we have first-hand experience that grounds our firm and puts survivors’ healing at the center of our work. From guaranteeing confidentiality and an empathetic approach, to our specialized expertise and fierce advocacy, we promise to put your needs first. As nationally-recognized sexual abuse attorneys, our purpose is to help you reclaim your voice, pursue justice, and hold both perpetrators and institutions accountable for the harm caused by sexual violence.

Our founder, Kayla Onder, is herself a survivor of sexual violence. Her personal journey from silence to strength guides the heart of this firm. Because she has walked this path, she understands both the pain and the courage it takes to come forward. What began as her personal commitment to stand with survivors has grown into a national practice dedicated to compassion, justice, and institutional change.

What Makes Us Different

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