From Rescue Missions to Trauma-informed Interventions: How Anti-Trafficking Programs Are Mis-Guided by Political Optics and How to Stop This Trend

• In Event: Frontiers in Research on Human Trafficking

Abstract

Although the Palermo Protocol signalled the beginning of a global campaign against human trafficking activities, more than two decades of programming and billions of dollars later, we know very little about what works in either stopping trafficking violations or assisting victims. This paper critically assesses the field of anti-trafficking interventions and raises question on the obvious lack of any empirical evidence on what services have been provided to prevent trafficking violations. From early rescue operations to current trauma-informed and survivor-focused obsession, counter-trafficking interventions have largely been (mis)guided by convictions and political optics rather than empirical evidence. However, the absence of proven efficacies or scientific evidence has not stopped funding agencies and service providers from marching forward touting treatment principles and manualized services. A growing number of researchers and policy makers have begun to question this status quo and push for accountability and evidence of programming effectiveness. The paper will end with an example of one leading funding agency that has initiated a series of intervention development research projects to disrupt the field and demand deliberate processes to document and measure suggested interventions. We as a field will not gain credibility let alone make progress until we apply rigors in measuring what we do and demonstrate impact (or lack thereof) for further funding considerations.

Authors

• Xichen Wang, University of Massachusetts Lowell

• Sheldon X Zhang, University of Massachusetts Lowell

• Casey Risko, US Department of State