Understanding How Juveniles Become Human Traffickers

Modern-day slavery, also known as human trafficking, exists and grows worldwide, exploiting people for their physical and sexual labor (Banks & Kyckelhahn, 2011). Though media sources and legal changes have increased awareness about the issue of human trafficking, there is still a great void of research about the population of traffickers and perpetrators, especially a particularly concerning population: youth traffickers (Blank, Troshynski, 2007). Youth perpetrators have an easier time recruiting minors into human trafficking because they appear more trustworthy. However, little to no research is available to explain the histories and characteristics of this phenomenon regarding youth perpetrators. Therefore, we will seek to begin answering the following research question: What are the experiences of youth perpetrators? Researchers will use a qualitative, exploratory research design and a non-probable snowball sampling method to examine the experiences of current perpetrators who trafficked while they were minors. Using a semi-structured, in-depth interview, researchers will triangulate data from audio transcripts and copious field notes. The interviews with traffickers will be completed with phenomenological interviewing. The data will be analyzed using grounded theory methodology in which the researchers will work through multiple stages of coding with an outside coder to increase believability and trustworthiness. The researchers will also conduct data analysis with a limited number of traffickers to expand the study’s believability. We expect to find coding trends and theories related to the childhood experiences of this population and their life outcomes. The findings of this research will assist in working against the recruitment of additional minors to human trafficking. The goal of this research is to increase a general understanding of the experiences of youth traffickers and perpetrators, as well as encouraging others to engage in more quality research opportunities about trafficking as a whole

Disrupting Illicit Supply Networks: New Applications of Operations Research and Data Analytics to End Modern Slavery

Report from a 2017 National Science Foundation workshop on promising research directions for applications of operations research and data analytics toward the disruption of illicit supply networks like human trafficking. The workshop was funded by the NSF’s Operations Engineering (ENG) and the Law & Social Sciences Program (SBE) under grant # CMMI-1726895. The report addresses the opportunity to apply advances from the fields of operations research, management science, analytics, machine learning, and data science toward the development of disruptive interventions against illicit networks. Such an extension of the current research agenda for trafficking would move understanding of such dynamic systems from descriptive characterization and predictive estimation toward improved dynamic operational control.Bureau of Business Researc

Human Trafficking by the Numbers: The Initial Benchmark of Prevalence and Economic Impact for Texas

Prevalence HighlightsCurrently, there are approximately 79,000 minor and youth victims of sex trafficking in Texas.Currently, there are approximately 234,000 workers who are victims of labor trafficking in Texas.Currently, there arean estimated 313,000 victims of human trafficking in Texas.Cost HighlightsMinor and youth sex trafficking costs the state of Texas approximately $6.6 billion. Traffickers exploit approximately$600 million from victims of labor trafficking in Texas.BackgroundThough human trafficking is widespread in geographically large states with large urban centers like Texas, the true scope of this hidden crime is largely unconfirmed as data on human trafficking are difficult to ascertain. Existing data gathered in anti-trafficking efforts focus almost exclusively on identified victims, shedding light on only a fraction of the problem. The first phase of the Statewide Human Trafficking Mapping Project of Texas focused on providing empiricallygrounded data as a benchmark about the extent of human trafficking across the state. The following three primary research questions guided our data collection efforts, which included queries of existing databases, interviews, focus groups, and web-based surveys.1.What is the prevalence of human trafficking in Texas?2.What is the economic impact of human trafficking in Texas?3.What is our understanding of human trafficking in Texas?MethodsThe findings in this report were derived using a multi-methods approach to quantify the prevalence and economic impact of human trafficking in Texas. Higher-than-average risk industry and community segments were chosen for sex and labor markets. We defined community segments asgroups of people considered to be at higher-than-average risk of trafficking because of risk indicators found in trafficking cases (e.g. homelessness). More specifically, rather than attempting to establish prevalence of trafficking among the 27.4 million people living in Texas, for the purposes of demonstrating our methodology, establishing some benchmarks on human trafficking prevalence and economic impact estimates, and providing a concrete example of our planned activities moving forward, victimization rates were applied to a select few community segments that are at higher-than-average risk of trafficking.The methodology has addressed the critical industry and community segments to accurately estimate prevalencewhile reducing overlap between the chosen segments

From “Whores” to “Victims”: The Rise and Status of Sex Trafficking Courts

Views of people involved in the commercial sex trade have shifted. Once seen as prostitutes or “whores,” they are increasingly perceived as exploited “victims.” The behavior associated with commercial sex has been redefined from voluntary and disreputable to coerced and deserving of rescue. This new framework is part of a broader anti-trafficking movement in society to recognize and save vulnerable individuals who are exploited for sex. In this context, the model of problem-solving or specialty courts has been extended to sex trafficking cases. The goal first is to identify trafficking victims–also known as “victim-defendants”–and then to address their risk factors with services. The current review examines the prevalence and the effectiveness of sex trafficking courts. Although some promising evaluations have been conducted, it remains unclear whether such courts are addressing the unique needs of victim-defendants. Investigating this question is essential, given that trafficking courts are likely to grow in popularity and in number

The Impacts of Sex Trafficking on Children of Survivors: Stakeholders’ Perspectives

The aim of this study was to conduct a needs assessment for children whose parents are survivors of sex trafficking from a stakeholders’ perspective. Six stakeholders that work directly with survivors of sex trafficking were interviewed. There were seven themes that arose in the findings: Trauma; Loss of Custody; Generational Component of Sex Trafficking; Barriers; Systems Implications; Trauma-Informed Care; and Holistic Resources. These themes assist in understanding the trajectories of the children’s lives, barriers children and their parents face, and services that need to be created or improved for these children

The Impacts of Sex Trafficking on Children of Survivors: Stakeholders’ Perspectives

The aim of this study was to conduct a needs assessment for children whose parents are survivors of sex trafficking from a stakeholders’ perspective. Six stakeholders that work directly with survivors of sex trafficking were interviewed. There were seven themes that arose in the findings: Trauma; Loss of Custody; Generational Component of Sex Trafficking; Barriers; Systems Implications; Trauma-Informed Care; and Holistic Resources. These themes assist in understanding the trajectories of the children’s lives, barriers children and their parents face, and services that need to be created or improved for these children

Coordinating Services for Survivors of Human Trafficking

Human trafficking has gained increased attention from the medical community. One study reported that 87.8% of those trafficked for sexual exploitation had contact with a health care provider , representing an opportunity for health care providers to intervene (Lederer and Wetzel 2014) Recent research has emphasized increased awareness and screening by health care providers as key to identifying victims of human trafficking (Simich et at 2014) However once identified, survivors require comprehensive care to address short-term and long-term needs that ensure an individual’s safety, privacy and dignity. This study aims to understand how health care providers can improve utilization of resources that community advocates say survivors of human trafficking most need. This study performed a systematic review of the literature along with four key stakeholder interviews to understand 1) the needed resources to aid survivors of human trafficking and 2) how medical providers can better understand and utilize these resources in referring an identified victim. One interview from a community advocates addressed resources most needed by survivors. Three interviews of medical providers addressed knowledge and utilization of resources by providers in referring patients. Results exposed gaps in health care provider identification of victims and referrals to needed community resources. Difficulty with identification resulted from lack of provider training and time constraints. Having an established interdisciplinary referral system seemed to provide the best coordination of aftercare services. These finding suggest the need to have adequate referral protocols and partnerships with community stakeholders when identifying victims of human trafficking.Master of Public Healt

Texas Foster Care Service Providers’ Awareness and Perceptions of Human Trafficking and Related Risk Factors Among Child Welfare Involved Youth

The purpose of the study is to explore foster care service providers’ levels of awareness of human trafficking, exploitation, and related risk factors as experienced by foster youth, and to explore what factors influence those levels of awareness. The study entailed distributing a digital survey to foster care service providers in a snowballing method and encouraging them to send the survey to others. The survey found a statistically significant relationship between awareness/identification of risk factors and identification of exploitation, and the respondent’s previous human trafficking training. This supports the literature which indicates trafficking specific training is necessary to identify trafficking and provide adequate services to survivors of trafficking. Further recommendations, limitations, and discussion are included

Same Wheel, New Direction: Toward a Sex Trafficking-Specific Framework of Care

In 2016, an estimated 3.8 million adults and children were victims of sex trafficking worldwide. Even with so many people affected, and with the mental health effects of sex trafficking victimization being so serious and long-lasting, very little exists on how to most effectively treat this population after they are rescued or escape. The current study contributes to this body of research by obtaining the perspectives of clinical service providers working with sex trafficking survivors, with particular attention paid to their experiences and views on mental health treatment methods for survivors. This study used a systems perspective and qualitative research methods in line with the Total Quality Framework to ensure a holistic, in-depth analysis of the current state of post-trafficking service provision. Qualitative analysis of interviews with 18 clinical service providers revealed various gaps in the system of service provision that could lead to survivors not receiving the help they need. The study found that the most common mental health symptoms among survivors of sex trafficking were PTSD, anxiety, and depression, but that dissociation and Complex PTSD were particularly common and associated with difficulties in treatment. Clinicians used a variety of treatment methods, including CBT, EMDR, and DBT, but noted that no currently available manualized treatment could meet the complex needs of survivors. Participants noted that there was a need for a sex trafficking-specific treatment framework and that such a framework must include information on trafficking-related issues, suggestions for the adaptation of currently available treatment methods, and a network that allows for collaboration and oversight among service providers