Human Trafficking Practice and Research: Lessons from Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract

An ongoing concern in human trafficking research and service provision is understanding how to best assist survivors with the complex trauma associated with their experiences. Much can be learned by human trafficking researchers and practitioners from the analogous fields of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (DVSA). Human trafficking victims are often victims of DVSA as well, and practitioners in many areas serve survivors of all of these crimes. This panel features presentations from researchers in both fields. The first paper, an intramural research paper written by NIJ Research Assistants Kristina Lugo, Jennifer Holmes and Lisa Fedina, focuses on trauma-informed approaches to service provision and research via a review of extant literatures in both DVSA and human trafficking. The second paper, by Julie Valentine, presents the results of the first program evaluation of Rebecca Campbell's tool for trauma-informed interviewing of sexual assault victims, giving us a picture of what the approach looks like in practice. Claire Renzetti presents our third paper, which analyzes more broadly lessons that human trafficking practitioners may learn from four decades of DVSA research. Lastly, Deborah Gibbs addresses challenges and successes in evaluating victim services in both fields.

Sub Unit

• Area V: Types of Offending / 27: Sex Work and Human Trafficking

Individual Presentations

• Trauma-Informed Approaches to Human Trafficking Research and Practice: Lessons Learned from the Fields of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault - Kristina Lugo, National Institute of Justice / American University; Jennifer Lynne Holmes, National Institute of Justice / Florida State University; Lisa Fedina, University of Maryland, Baltimore

• The Effectiveness of a Trauma Informed Training Program and Structured Interview in Adult Sexual Assault Cases - Julie Valentine, Brigham Young University College of Nursing

• Raising Awareness of and Improving Responses to Sex Trafficking Victims: It’s Déjà vu All Over Again - Claire M. Renzetti, University of Kentucky

• What Trafficking Victim Services Can Learn from Domestic Violence Programs: Evaluation Challenges and Strategies - Jennifer Hardison Walters, RTI International; Deborah Gibbs, RTI International

Chair

• Kristina Lugo, National Institute of Justice / American University