Improving Law Enforcement Responses to Human Trafficking: Does Training Make a Difference?

• In Event: Criminology at the Intersections of Human Trafficking

Abstract

Since 2008, the U.S. federal government has prioritized human trafficking prosecutions, although the expectation is that these cases will be brought to federal prosecutors by local law enforcement authorities. Recent research shows, however, that while local law enforcement officers are typically well positioned to identify human trafficking victims, most do not think human trafficking occurs in their jurisdictions and few are prepared to identify and investigate such cases. Recognizing the need for training of law enforcement regarding human trafficking, the Department of Criminal Justice Training at the Kentucky Leadership Institute undertook a statewide training program conducted by victim advocates. This paper reports the results of an evaluation of that training program. The paper discusses the effectiveness of the program in terms of its impact on officers’ understanding of human trafficking and reduction in victim-blaming attitudes as well as their ability to identify and investigate potential human trafficking cases.

Authors

• Claire M. Renzetti, University of Kentucky

• Amy Bush, University of Kentucky