Browsing by Subject "human trafficking"

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Assessing the Needs of Human Trafficking Victims: An Evaluation of the Central Texas Coalition Against Human Trafficking
(Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, 2007-08) Busch, Noel Bridget; Fong, Rowena; Cook Heffon, Laurie; Faulkner, Monica; Mahapatra, Neely
Development and Validation of an Instrument to Assess Social Work Students’ Perceptions, Knowledge, and Attitudes About Human Trafficking Questionnaire (PKA-HTQ): An Exploratory Study
(Research on Social Work Practice, 2015) Nsonwu, Maura Busch; Welch-Brewer, Chiquitia; Cook Heffron, Laurie; Lemke, Melinda A.; Busch-Armendariz, Noel; Sulley, Caitlin; Cook, Sharon Warren; Lewis, Mary; Watson, Elizabeth; Moore, Wayne; Li, Jilan
Objective: This study sought to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a tool designed to assess social work students’ knowledge of and perceptions and attitudes toward human trafficking. To achieve this aim, the Perceptions, Knowledge, and Attitudes toward Human Trafficking Questionnaire (PKA-HTQ) was developed and its psychometric properties were evaluated. Specifically, the factor structure and the internal consistency of the PKA-HTQ were evaluated. Methods: Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a replication EFA were conducted on two independent samples of university students, an initial validation (n = 325), and cross-validation (n = 212) sample. Findings: The EFA revealed a three-factor structure, that is, self-appraisal of knowledge/skills (α = .89), worldview (α =.78), and help-seeking behavior (α =.66); this three-factor structure was supported by replication EFA. Conclusion: The PKA-HTQ questionnaire shows promise as a meaningful, potentially reliable and valid measure.
Disrupting Illicit Supply Networks: New Applications of Operations Research and Data Analytics to End Modern Slavery
(Bureau of Business Research, 2018-05-01) Kammer-Kerwick, Matt; Busch-Armendariz, Noël; Talley, McKenna
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.
Evaluation of the Survivor of Trafficking Empowerment Program (STEP) for Refugee Services of Texas (RST), Inc.
(Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, 2016-08) Busch-Armendariz, Noël Bridget; Cook Heffron, Laurie
Human Trafficking by the Numbers: The Initial Benchmark of Prevalence and Economic Impact for Texas
(Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (IDVSA), The University of Texas at Austin, 2016-12) Busch-Armendariz, Noël; Nale, Nicole L.; Kammer-Kerwick, Matt; Kellison, J. Bruce; Torres, Melissa I.M.; Cook-Heffron, Laurie; Nehme, John
Report from the Statewide Human Trafficking Mapping Project of Texas, a collaboration among the Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault (IDVSA) and the Bureau of Business Research at The University of Texas at Austin as well as Allies Against Slavery. The study found that there are more than 300,000 victims of human trafficking in Texas, including almost 79,000 minors and youth victims of sex trafficking and nearly 234,000 adult victims of labor trafficking. Minor and youth sex trafficking costs the state of Texas approximately $6.6 billion annually, and traffickers exploit approximately $600 million from victims of labor trafficking in Texas.
Human Trafficking by the Numbers: The Initial Benchmark of Prevalence and Economic Impact for Texas
(Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, 2016) Busch-Armendariz, Noël; Levy Nale, Nicole; Kammer-Kerwick, Matt; Kellison, Bruce; Maldonado Torres, Melissa Irene; Cook Heffron, Laurie; Nehme, John
Human Trafficking in Texas: A Statewide Evaluation of Existing Laws and Social Services
(Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, 2008-08) Busch-Armendariz, Noel Bridget; Cook Heffron, Laurie; Kalergis, Karen; Mahapatra, Neely; Faulkner, Monica; Voyles, Leila; Eaton, Sharlene
Human Trafficking Victims and Their Children: Assessing Needs, Vulnerabilities, Strengths, and Survivorship
(Journal of Applied Research on Children, 2011) Busch-Armendariz, Noël; Nsonwu, Maura B.; Cook Heffron, Laurie
Given the increased awareness and attention to human trafficking, including the establishment of federal laws and policies, federally funded task forces that provide law enforcement responses, and specialized victim services, it is important to assess the impact of these procedures and services on survivors/victims of international human trafficking and their immigrant children. By federal definition, certified victims of international human trafficking are eligible for all services provided to refugees in this country, including reunification with their minor children. This research is based on a qualitative study conducted in Austin and Houston, Texas with human trafficking victims/survivors. The project’s goal was to gain an understanding of the needs of human trafficking survivors after their rescue, their overall integration into American life, and the subsequent needs of their immigrant children after reunification. The project objectives examined the factors that either promote or hinder self-sufficiency, the determination of social service needs, and policy and practice recommendations to strengthen survivors, their children and their families living both locally and abroad. For this project, nine (n = 9) in-depth interviews were conducted with adult foreign-born victims of human trafficking. Researchers gathered data using a semi-structured questionnaire that queried about factors that promote or hinder victims’ services and needs. Interviews were conducted in participants’ homes using bilingual research staff and/or trained interpreters, were digitally-recorded, and subsequently transcribed. Participation in this study was completely voluntary. Specific steps were taken to ensure that the participants’ identities were protected. Open coding of data was utilized and the data were subsequently organized or grouped into properties and later developed into contextual themes around the research questions. The findings are grounded with the use of direct quotes from participants. As a result of progressive U.S. policy, many victims of human trafficking are being reunited with their minor children. Immigrant children are one of the largest and fastest growing populations in the U.S. and for a variety of reasons are vulnerable to exploitation. Research also indicates that victims of trafficking are identified by traffickers because of their perceived “vulnerabilities” or lack of opportunities (Clark, 2003). Therefore, it is important that practices and policies are developed to address the unique needs of these families with an eye toward positive outcomes for parent and child safety and well-being. Social service providers are provided a toolkit that may be utilized before and during the reunification period.
An Investigation Into P&G's Coconut Oil Supply Chain
(2023) Du, Cindy
The coconut industry is rife with human trafficking and labor exploitation due to the farming practices used and the way the supply chain is structured. Though companies such as Cargill have been able to create sustainable and ethical supply chains for coconut oil by targeting these inferior practices through organizations like the Rainforest Alliance, a majority of coconut farmers are still subject to human trafficking and labor exploitation. Native deodorant claims that the natural deodorant they produce is sustainable and ethical, as being cruelty-free is a company value. However, the company, owned by P&G, uses coconut oil as one of the ingredients for its deodorant, and P&G currently sources its coconut oil from the Philippines and Indonesia, where human trafficking within the coconut industry, known as copra slavery, is abundant. Steps were taken in the research process to determine the stance of the company, the company’s supply chain, and the general supply chain for coconut oil. Though the company has entered a partnership to create a certifiably sustainable and transparent coconut oil supply
A kaleidoscope: The role of the social work practitioner and the strength of social work theories and practice in meeting the complex needs of people trafficked and the professionals that work with them
(International Social Work, 2014) Busch-Armendariz, Noël; Nsonwu, Maura Busch; Cook Heffron, Laurie
This qualitative research study explored responses to trafficking in persons. Fifty-five (n = 55) interviews were collected and data were analyzed using qualitative iterative processes. The social worker and the utilization of social work perspectives provided a strong and effective framework for service delivery and effective interdisciplinary collaboration. The ecological, strengths-based, and victim-center approaches were a benefit to survivors and professionals specifically around coordinated efforts, trust-building, and increased cultural competence. Findings also support that individuals who are trafficked have unique needs and social workers’ theoretical and practice modalities are well suited to respond to and coordinate these distinct circumstances.
Power in Community: The Cooperative Model as an Empowering Space of Refuge, Agency, and Support for Survivors of Human Trafficking
(2020-05) Kapuria, Nishtha
Human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery where traffickers use force, fraud, and coercion to control another person into engaging in commercial sex acts or soliciting labor and services against her or his will. The current rescue model is flawed because it fails to meet the basic needs of survivors, resulting in the common occurrence of re-victimization post-rescue when survivors voluntarily return to their traffickers. An examination of the issue showed that the current rescue model fails to meet the basic needs of refuge, agency, and support. I hypothesized that cooperative living could be a potential solution that provides all three. After extensive research into the background and current models of cooperative living, I tie the Rochdale Principles, which have guided co-ops since the 1800s, to the three core needs and offer recommendations for an adapted cooperative model that is modified for survivors of human trafficking, along with ideas for future research and steps towards actualization. Cooperatives have long been at the center of reformative justice movements by redistributing power to marginalized communities, like survivors of human trafficking who struggle to successfully re-integrate back into society. Co-ops can offer them a safe and consistent refuge, the ability to regain their agency, and a support system that offers them the chance at family beyond biology.
Technology And Child Sex Trafficking: A Comparative Study Of The United States, Venezuela, And The Philippines
(2019-05-01) Murray, Catherine; Kellison, Bruce
The global sex trafficking industry – with profits over $150 billion annually – will eventually become the number one crime in the world. It exists on a global, planetary scale and primarily affects the most marginalized populations of society. The numbers are staggering, and the statistics provide only a glimpse into the reality of the epidemic that is sex trafficking. Because sex trafficking touches the most vulnerable populations, it largely preys on children in every country and in every city. Modern day slavery far surpasses any of the past slavery in both number and scale, while most of the public remains seemingly unaware of its presence. However, as the paradigm of child sex trafficking gradually shifts towards greater uses of technology, it seems possible to leverage what appears as an enabler to also become an inhibitor. My thesis seeks to define technology’s role in both the perpetuation and the prevention of child sex trafficking globally. It aims to shed light on progress made in the developed world, specifically the United States, and apply that to countries in the developing world, specifically Venezuela and the Philippines. The thesis will compare the roles of technology in these places in order to identify any possible anti-trafficking solutions. It looks at the various degrees to which technology fuels trafficking in each of the three countries and seeks to pinpoint the places where it can serve to deteriorate the supply and demand industry of child sex trafficking.
“To the Public, Nothing was Wrong with Me”: Life Experiences of Minors and Youth in Texas At Risk for Commercial Sexual Exploitation
(2019-03) Kellison, Bruce; Torres, Melissa I.M.; Kammer-Kerwick, Matt; Hairston, Dixie; Talley, McKenna; Busch-Armendariz, Noel
This study describes child sex trafficking in three regions across Texas using empirically grounded qualitative and quantitative research methods. It is intended to expand the body and depth of knowledge that can that can help anti-trafficking professionals better identify individuals at risk for, or experiencing, child sex trafficking. The report explores the life experiences of individuals – both young adults and minors, ages 13-27 years – who are survivors of child sex trafficking in three regions of Texas: Houston, Lubbock, and the Texas-Mexico border region. It provides data and analysis on the prevalence of trafficking and exploitation within communities at high risk for victimization. The study examines specific experiences of minor and youth sex trafficking survivors, including risk factors, push/pull factors, help-seeking behaviors, and reasons for multiple exits and re-entries into trafficking and/or exploitative situations.
Understanding Human Trafficking: Development of Typologies of Traffickers PHASE II
(2009) Busch-Armendariz, Noël Bridget; Nsonwu, Maura; Cook Heffron, Laurie
Perpetrator typologies have been useful in understanding other crimes, such as do-mestic violence, and serve a similar purpose in enhancing our knowledge base about human trafficking. Typologies of human traffickers can be useful in improving our understanding about elements needed for successful investigations and prosecu-tions; developing appropriate services for victims and survivors; preventing human trafficking; and increasing community awareness. The goal of this project is to explore the types of traffickers based on key characteris-tics found in the literature and in prosecuted cases. The initial two phases of this re-search, reported here, involve a review of literature, government reports, and media reports of prosecuted cases related to human trafficking and in-depth interviews with prosecutors and national experts who have experience working cases involving human trafficking crimes. In a future phase (using non-OVC funds), interviews will be conducted with offenders who have been convicted on charges related to human trafficking. This phase of the study addresses the following research questions: 1) what types of traffickers and trafficking crimes exist?, and 2) how can they be cate-gorized into criminal typologies?
Undocumented Sex Worker or Trafficking Victim?: Domestic Challenges to the Implementation of the Palermo Protocol
(2023-05) Clark, Allison
This paper explores the ways in which domestic actors have mechanized the language of the first international protocol to combat human trafficking to perform anti-immigration tactics. The UN Palermo Protocol was aimed at tackling the problem of sex trafficking and operated under the framework of abolitionism, which criminalizes the trafficker and client involved in sexual transactions in order to reduce demand. Further, the Protocol explicitly defines movement as a key factor in identifying victims of sex trafficking, but allows for domestic interpretation of how a victim was defined. This research analyzes the language of the Palermo Protocol to showcase the basis for domestic anti-trafficking protocols. Further, this paper defines societal securitization in the context of human trafficking legislation to exhibit how political actors frame contentious policy issues under a moral argument to appeal to a broader audience. In connecting societal securitization and anti-trafficking legislation, this paper will demonstrate how this connection is apparent in Spanish anti-trafficking legislation. In focusing on the language and consequences of Sevilla’s Ordinance Against Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation in Women and Children, I will show how domestic reinterpretations of the Palermo Protocol deport migrant women for transgressing essentialized norms placed upon them by Western society. By defining sex work in terms of its civility, in addition to removing the focus from victim protection, Sevilla’s anti-trafficking initiatives have victimized and deported migrant women involved in the sex industry. This domestic transposition suggests how the vague language of the Palermo Protocol has allowed for the production of incongruous norms when it comes to addressing human trafficking, and in turn, a failure to reduce its number of victims.