A Review of Labor Trafficking Research

• In Event: Innovations in Human Trafficking Research—Part 3: A Focus on Labor Trafficking

Abstract

Labor trafficking is a public health issue that requires a societal response. However, relatively little is known about these crimes or the victims impacted. This presentation aims to synthesize existing research on labor trafficking to inform what is known, the current gaps, and the implications for future research. In the current review, more than 100 peer-reviewed research studies on labor trafficking are examined. Information highlighted across existing literature will include characteristics of the publications (e.g., publication year, country of study), definitions applied (e.g., federal, international), samples (e.g., adults, juveniles), study design (e.g., interviews, focus groups, surveys, secondary data), and methodological approach (e.g., qualitative, quantitative). Notable findings will also be summarized, focusing on victim vulnerability to labor trafficking, types of harm experienced, and short- and long-term consequences of exploitation. How this extant work informs an ongoing labor trafficking assessment in Nebraska will also be discussed.

Authors

• Kaitlyn Swanberg, University of Nebraska Omaha

• Teresa C. Kulig, University of Nebraska Omaha

• Sadaf Hashimi, University of Nebraska Omaha

• Valeria Torres-Rivera, University of Nebraska Omaha

• Morgan Goslar, University of Nebraska Omaha