The California Victim Compensation Board is observing national Human Trafficking Prevention Month in January and has launched a campaign with information about support available for survivors.

Three years ago, the board began authorizing income loss compensation for victims of sex and labor trafficking as a result of Assembly Bill 629, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2020. During that time, 590 human trafficking claims have been approved, and victims have been paid more than $4.4 million in lost wages.

To help bring awareness to the problem and make victims aware of the support and resources available, the board launched a social media campaign and created a media toolkit. Human trafficking is the practice of enslaving people for labor, sexual activity or commercial sexual exploitation. An estimated 12.8% of all human trafficking cases in the United States in 2021 came from California, according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

To raise awareness about trafficking, the U.S. Senate designated Jan. 11 as National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness. In 2010, President Barack Obama proclaimed January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

In addition to income loss compensation, which covers up to $20,000 for a two-year period, the board can reimburse survivors for other expenses caused by human trafficking, including medical, dental and mental health treatment, home security and relocation. For information, visit victims.ca.gov.