Improving Trafficking Victim Identification: Use of a validated screening tool to identify sex and labor trafficking victims in the U.S.

• In Event: What Works in Human Trafficking Policy, Victim Identification, and Service Provision

Abstract

In 2013, the Vera Institute of Justice validated the first comprehensive human trafficking screening tool and conducted an implementation evaluation to improve identification of trafficking victims. The validation research was conducted in partnership with 11 victim service provider partners around the U.S. Over 200 potential trafficking victims were screened to determine the predictive validity of the screening tool, which was found to work well in reliably identifying both sex and labor trafficking victims. As part of a process evaluation, in-depth interviews were also conducted with survivors, service providers and law enforcement personnel to identify challenges and best practices in victim identification and implementation of the screening tool. This presentation will summarize validation and evaluation research findings and describe important practical considerations for implementation of victim screening with diverse trafficking victim groups in various settings.

Author

• Laura Simich, Vera Institute of Justice