California Survivor Representation
California Sex Trafficking Lawyers
We proudly represent survivors of sex trafficking across California. If you or a loved one was trafficked for sex, we can help you hold the trafficker — and the institutions, businesses, or individuals that enabled or profited from your exploitation — accountable.
Your rights as a sex trafficking survivor in California
We know the trauma doesn’t end when the abuse stops, and neither should your pursuit of justice. With recent changes to California’s civil laws, survivors now have more power than ever to file lawsuits, seek compensation, and rebuild their lives. Even if your perpetrator has not been criminally convicted, you still have a chance at justice.
Sex trafficking often affects the most vulnerable among us — from runaway children to those in foster homes, homeless individuals, immigrants, LGBTQ+ youth, and survivors of prior abuse. While criminal law focuses on prosecuting traffickers, civil lawsuits allow survivors to seek compensation from all responsible parties, even if no criminal charges were ever filed.
Under California law, survivors can bring civil claims against:
Traffickers and recruiters
The individuals who recruited, coerced, transported, or controlled the victim.
Hotels, motels & rental properties
Online platforms & social media
Employers, businesses & institutions
Property owners or managers
Owners and managers who failed to report abuse or protect victims.
What You May Recover
What compensation can you recover?
Economic Damages
- Medical expenses
- Therapy and counseling
- Relocation costs and housing support
- Lost wages or loss of future earning capacity
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and trauma (including PTSD)
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive Damages
- Awarded in cases of gross negligence
- Egregious misconduct
- Institutional cover-ups
California Law Has Changed
Eliminated statute of limitations for minor victims
California provides some of the nation’s strongest legal rights for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. With the passage of the California Child Victims Act (AB 218) in 2020, the state opened a three-year “lookback” period that allowed survivors to bring civil lawsuits, even in cases where the statute of limitations had already expired.
That filing window closed on December 31, 2022, but other important protections remain in place:
- Survivors can now file a civil lawsuit up until age 40, or within 5 years of discovering the psychological effects of the abuse — whichever deadline comes later.
- In cases where an institution attempted to conceal or cover up abuse, the statute of limitations may be paused or extended.
- Survivors who experienced abuse in schools, churches, medical institutions, or youth organizations may still have the ability to pursue legal action.
Understanding the Problem
Sex trafficking in California
California is consistently ranked as one of the top states for reported human trafficking cases, particularly in major cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and Sacramento. Trafficking in California takes many forms, including:
Pimp-Controlled Trafficking
Victims are manipulated or abused by a single trafficker posing as a romantic partner or “protector.”
Familial Trafficking
A parent or relative exploits a child or dependent for financial gain or in exchange for drugs, rent, or other resources.
Gang-Related Trafficking
Gangs use sex trafficking to generate revenue and assert control, especially in vulnerable communities.
Venue-Facilitated Trafficking
Hotels, motels, nightclubs, or Airbnb rentals where staff ignore signs or actively assist traffickers.
Online Grooming & Exploitation
Social media, dating apps, and classified ad sites are often used to recruit or sell victims.
Traffickers prey on isolation, fear, and vulnerability
- Youth in the foster care or juvenile justice system
- Immigrants, particularly undocumented individuals
- Survivors of prior sexual abuse or domestic violence
- Runaway or homeless teens
- LGBTQ+ youth facing family rejection or lack of services
- People with disabilities or limited mental capacity
Talk to a California sex trafficking lawyer today
If you survived sex trafficking in California, whether as a child or adult, you may be entitled to justice and compensation. Thanks to recent legal reforms, you now have more rights than ever before.
Let Constant Legal Group help you explore your legal options. Our consultations are free and confidential, and we don’t charge a dime unless we win your case.
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