A Quantitative Analysis of Human Trafficking in Federal Courts

• In Event: Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation: What Do We Know, What Should We Do?

Abstract

While a great deal of important literature exists on human trafficking, it is primarily micro-level, qualitative work. This literature has made invaluable contributions to our understanding of human trafficking, but for years scholars and stakeholders have called for quantitative, national examinations of the issue. To date very little quantitative analysis has been performed on human trafficking in general, and we could find no quantitative research that evaluated the impact of anti-trafficking laws on a national level. Using data from more than 500 trafficking cases in the United States, this study will begin an exploratory examination of the subject. We examine cases prosecuted under provisions of The Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000 and other federal laws, such as the Mann Act. Our intent is to analyze the different components of the TVPA to determine how it has been employed over the past fifteen years and whether any components have been underused. We will perform quantitative analyses of the defendants and victims in these cases to further shed light on the nature of trafficking prosecutions in the U.S. We expect the findings to be an important starting point in evaluating current anti-trafficking policies.

Authors

• Adam Rose, University of Arkansas

• Christopher A. Shields, University of Arkansas