About This Practice Area
National Leaders in Civil Trafficking Litigation
Babin Law stands at the forefront of civil human trafficking litigation nationwide. Steven Babin serves as lead trial counsel on the very first case filed under the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) against major hotel brands — and our firm now represents approximately 40% of all hotel human trafficking cases in the country.
We pursue every entity in the trafficking supply chain: the traffickers themselves, the hotel chains that looked the other way, the websites that facilitated exploitation, and the businesses that profited from forced labor. Our survivor-centered approach means your safety and well-being always come first, with connections to advocacy organizations and support services at every stage.
How Widespread Is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is a horrific crime that happens far more often than most people realize. According to the U.S. Department of State, there are an estimated 27.6 million trafficking victims worldwide at any given time. Men, women, and children are all victims. The main categories are labor trafficking and sex trafficking.
Key venues for labor trafficking include domestic work, agriculture, begging rings, and restaurants. Sex trafficking key venues include hotels and motels, pornography, online ads, and illegal massage businesses. Despite being a heinous crime, trafficking generates approximately $150 billion annually according to the International Labor Organization — making prosecution and civil accountability critical to breaking the cycle.
Is Human Trafficking a Federal or State Crime?
Human trafficking is both a federal and state crime. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) — created in 2000 — was the first comprehensive federal law to combat human trafficking. All 50 states also have laws criminalizing sex trafficking. The federal government takes jurisdiction on cases occurring on federal property, across state lines, or on tribal land.
Child sex trafficking is punishable by 15 years to life for victims under 14, and 10 years to life for victims aged 14-17. Labor trafficking carries sentences up to 20 years, escalating to life if kidnapping, sexual assault, or homicide is involved. Babin Law pursues the civil side — suing traffickers, hotels, and corporate enablers for the financial damages survivors deserve.
Who Is at Risk?
While trafficking can happen to anyone, certain populations face heightened vulnerability. High-risk groups include runaways and homeless youth, children in foster care and juvenile justice systems, undocumented workers, people with addiction issues, low-income individuals, foreign nationals, people with limited English skills, unaccompanied children, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community.
Common signs include owing large, unrepayable debts; having identification documents confiscated; excessive monitoring and restrictions on personal freedom; being recruited for a job that turns out to be exploitative and unpaid; and threats of violence for attempting to leave. If you recognize these signs, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.
Effects of Human Trafficking on Survivors
The physical and psychological toll on trafficking survivors is severe. Physical effects include sexually transmitted diseases, health complications from starvation, diseases contracted during transportation, unplanned pregnancies, physical trauma from forced abortions, and injuries from sexual violence.
Psychological effects are equally devastating — survivors frequently suffer from PTSD, depression, anxiety, and complex trauma. Many require years of comprehensive support to rebuild their lives. Babin Law connects survivors with advocacy organizations and support services at every stage of the legal process, and ensures that financial recovery reflects the full scope of harm endured.
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