Policing Human Trafficking in St. Louis and Metro East Communities

• In Event: Policing Heterogeneous Crimes

Abstract

Human trafficking is affecting small communities throughout the United States. As everyday citizens struggle with the reality of trafficking victims in their own backyard, law enforcement officials attempt to tackle an uphill battle of identification and punishment. This paper is a case study of St. Louis and the neighboring communities in the Metro East, and how local officials are handling human trafficking cases. Drawing from interviews of police and prosecutors, this paper will first, briefly identify the various forms of trafficking occurring in St. Louis and the Metro East region. Next we will identify the issues law enforcement officials face in victim identification and support, as well as the difficulties in identifying and punishing offenders. Lastly, we will make suggestions in improving human trafficking investigations in St. Louis and the Metro East.

Authors

• Erin C. Heil, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville

• Andrea Nichols, Forest Park College