Validating Measures of Human Trafficking: A Comparative Analysis of Two Human Trafficking Screening Tools

• In Event: Comparative Interdisciplinary Research and the Trafficking in Persons Lab at the University of South Florida

Abstract

With the global epidemic of human trafficking, the development and use of human trafficking screening and assessment measures have gained significant attention from various organizations, including law enforcement, child well-fare agencies, clinics, residential centers, and more. However, many of these tools serve as guidelines for service providers without empirical validation. The necessity for effective identification and intervention strategies is paramount to combatting human trafficking and crucial for proper placement in social services and reducing the risk of trafficking reoccurrence. The current study aims to conduct a qualitative comparison of two existing human trafficking screening tools: the Commercial Sexual Exploitation Identification Tool (CSE-IT), which has been psychometrically validated, and Florida’s Human Trafficking Screening Tool (HTST), which currently lacks evidence of psychometric validity. Through an analysis of the language, structure, depth, and comprehensiveness of items employed in each tool, this study sheds light on respective strengths and weaknesses in identifying victims of trafficking. Future efforts in refining and validating tools to enhance their efficacy in combating human trafficking will be discussed.

Authors

• Emily Walker, University of South Florida

• Klejdis Bilali, University of South Florida

• Joan Reid, University of South Florida