Sex Trafficking Knowledge and Training: Implications From Environmental Scanning in the American Midwest

Abstract

Large gaps exist in our knowledge about the effectiveness of sex trafficking training. This study surveyed knowledge and training regarding sex trafficking among service providers (N = 66; i.e., social workers, law enforcement offers, and medical providers) in one Midwestern state. The study aimed to: (a) determine the goodness-of-fit between respondents' agency criteria for victim identification and established trafficking definitions, (b) assess training desired and received, and (c) examine group differences in knowledge and training by profession and position. Results suggest confusion exists in defining sex trafficking among aftercare providers despite nearly all respondents indicating they had received training on definition, identification, and vulnerability. Training gaps regarding service coordination, case development, and the legal, mental health, and medical needs of victims remain.

Working With Survivors of Human Trafficking: Results From a Needs Assessment in a Midwestern State, 2019

“…32 Hence, anti-human trafficking service providers perceive a need for developing basic services related to accessibility and delivery of services and more training on human trafficking and the intersections of human trafficking with other phenomena such as domestic and sexual violence, supporting prior research. 25,26 We also identified needs related to housing and shelter, which supports previous research. 19,25,32,34 A needs assessment in Virginia showed emergency housing as one of the most needed services.…”

“…Prior research found human trafficking training in Missouri to be sufficient but lacking in areas such as coordinated case management and trauma-informed identification and intervention. 26 Although most service providers reported having received basic training in human trafficking, they wanted to see more advanced training in best practices, information on key identifiers of human trafficking, case coordination and multidisciplinary team coordination, and trauma-informed care. 26 The findings of our study support previous research showing that training, particularly multidisciplinary training, is a critical need.…”

“…Among the most immediate and basic needs of human trafficking survivors are access to shelter, food, clothing, drinking water, transportation, crisis intervention, drug detoxification, safety/crisis intervention, trauma-informed mental health services, language access services, emergency medical care, and crisis legal advocacy. 17,[23][24][25][26] Long-term needs include access to safe transitional or general housing, physical and mental health care, legal services, language services, immigration services, substance abuse services, education, career counseling, job and life skills training, and financial management. 17,23,24 Human trafficking survivors experience difficulty accessing social services, law enforcement assistance, and health care.…”

“…17,23,24 Human trafficking survivors experience difficulty accessing social services, law enforcement assistance, and health care. 5,27,28 In addition to resource gaps, training gaps have been identified, [25][26][27][28][29] which affect multidisciplinary providers' ability to identify and respond to potential human trafficking incidents in various organizational sectors. Studies show the need for training in the criminal justice system, health care, intimate partner violence (IPV) services, rape and sexual assault services, and organizations serving young people.…”

“…While research uncovers the individual needs of survivors and gaps in training, the extent to which these services, training, and protocols are needed in regional contexts is understudied. [24][25][26] We assessed anti-human trafficking service providers' perceived levels of need for various legal, health care, and social services in Missouri and Metro East St. Louis, Illinois, and by region.…”