Sex & Labor Trafficking

Here, at Tamara Holder Law, we understand that the fight against sex trafficking is a complex and deeply emotional battle. Victims of trafficking endure unimaginable trauma, often feeling trapped in a cycle of abuse, manipulation, and fear. Our sex trafficking attorneys are not only experienced legal advocates, but they’re also compassionate allies committed to supporting survivors in their pursuit of justice and healing. We believe that every individual has the right to reclaim their life, and we are here to help make that happen. 

By leveraging expertise in federal and state laws, our team provides survivors with the tools they need to hold perpetrators accountable. Whether the case involves criminal organizations, corporations, or individuals who were complicit in trafficking operations, we work tirelessly to secure justice on behalf of our clients. From filing civil suits against traffickers to pursuing restitution for damages, we are at the forefront of advocating for survivors’ rights while exploring every legal avenue. 

Here, at The Law Firm of Tamara Holder, we recognize that litigation involving sex trafficking requires more than just knowledge of the law—it requires a survivor-centered approach. Our attorneys offer a secure and empathetic environment where clients feel heard and validated as they recount their experiences. We handle every case with care, confidentiality, and sensitivity. Survivors can trust us to fiercely protect their interests while providing the emotional support necessary to help them rebuild their lives. 

Collaboration is a key part of our philosophy. No two cases are alike, and our team tailors legal strategies to meet the specific needs of each individual we serve. We work alongside law enforcement, advocacy groups, and mental health experts to guarantee that our clients have access to comprehensive resources. This holistic approach empowers survivors to move forward and seek lasting change, both in their own lives and in the larger fight against trafficking. 

Choosing the right legal team is one of the most critical steps for survivors seeking justice, and we are proud to be a trusted name in this field. At The Law Firm of Tamara Holder, we measure our success not just by the outcomes of cases but also by the impact we leave on our clients’ lives. If you or someone you love has been affected by sex trafficking, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our sex trafficking lawyers for a confidential consultation. Together, we can take the first steps toward seeking justice, healing, and hope. 

From The Human Trafficking Hotline:

In 2021:
10,360 cases of human trafficking (both labor AND sex) were identified
16, 710 victims were involved in these cases (both labor AND sex)

Types of trafficking that were reported to the hotline (does not mean they were all ultimately identified as trafficking):

Sex – 7,499
Labor – 1,066
Sex and Labor – 400

Venues for Sex Trafficking:
Pornography – 807
Illicit Massage/Spa Business – 596
Hotel/Motel-Based – 579
Residence-Based Commercial Sex – 525
Online Ad Venue Unknown – 369
Street-Based – 178
Escort/Delivery Service – 134
Hostess/Strip Club-Based – 47
Truck Stop-Based – 43
Bar/Club – 33
Legalized Brothel – 3
Other – 4,185

From decriminalizesexwork.com:

“Human trafficking is when an individual or group uses force, fraud, or coercion to compel another into some kind of labor, including commercial sex acts.2 Human trafficking is an egregious abuse of human rights and a critical public health issue that causes long-term harm to individuals and communities.3

The majority of individuals involved in the sex trade are consenting adults. In 2020, prostitution related offenses outnumbered those related to trafficking in the sex trade 38 to 1.”

• Trafficking victims are often prosecuted for crimes that they were forced to commit. Convictions for these crimes prevent survivors from accessing critical social resources when attempting to recover from being exploited.
• In a 2009 study, trafficking victims reported being arrested an average of seven times during their exploitation. Encounters with the police are often cited as one of the most traumatizing experiences survivors endure.
• Seventy-five percent of victims of sexual labor trafficking are foreign nationals who risk deportation if they are charged with a crime they were forced to commit.

From the State Department’s 2023 Trafficking in Human Persons Report:

“Traffickers often target those who experience compounding forms of discrimination (such as discrimination because of one’s racial or ethnic group, gender identity, disability, or sexual orientation), violence (such as intimate partner or domestic violence), or who interact with government-run programs (such as the criminal justice system, runaway and homeless youth services, foster or institutional care, and the immigration enforcement system). Traffickers compel victims to engage in commercial sex and to work in both legal and illicit industries and sectors, including in hospitality, traveling sales crews, agriculture, janitorial services, construction, landscaping, restaurants, factories and manufacturing, direct care services, salon services, massage parlors, retail, fairs and carnivals, peddling and begging, drug smuggling and distribution, religious institutions, and domestic work. Traffickers continued to use social media and other online platforms to recruit and advertise victims.”

From the Bureau of Justice Statistics:

• This is data on who was prosecuted for trafficking in the US, rather than who was trafficked. Also useful and interesting:
• A total of 2,198 persons were referred to U.S. Attorneys for human trafficking offenses in fiscal year 2020, a 62% increase from the 1,360 persons referred in 2011.
• The number of persons prosecuted for human trafficking increased from 729 in 2011 to 1,343 in 2020, an 84% increase.
• The number of persons convicted of a federal human trafficking offense increased from 2011 (464 persons) to 2019 (837 persons), before falling in 2020 (658 persons).
• Of the 1,169 defendants charged in U.S. district court with human trafficking offenses in fiscal year 2020—
  • 92% were male
  • 63% were white
  • 18% were black
  • 17% were Hispanic
  • 95% were U.S. citizens
  • 66% had no prior convictions.
• At yearend 2020, for the 47 states that reported data, 1,564 persons were in the custody of a state prison serving a sentence for a human trafficking offense.