Identifying and Assisting Human Trafficking Survivors: A Post-Training Analysis of First Responders

Authors

Sarah Erwin, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jessie Peter, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Rochelle L. Dalla Dr., University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Virginia Chaidez, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Amy Encinger, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Lee Kreimer, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Keywords

Human trafficking, first responders, service provision, community services, victim identification

Abstract

First responders and the agencies for which they work face numerous challenges in identifying and assisting human trafficking survivors. This article aims to outline the ways in which first responders in a Midwestern state identify and provide services to human trafficking survivors. Six months after attending a two-day training aimed at recognizing and assisting human trafficking survivors, first responders were invited to participate in a follow-up survey regarding the training that they received. Responses were collected from 270 participants who work at various government, medical, or social service agencies in both rural and urban service areas across the state. Results focus on perceived prevalence of human trafficking, type of trafficking survivor populations served, barriers to service provision, and confidence in identifying indicators of human trafficking.

Recommended Citation

Erwin, Sarah; Peter, Jessie; Dalla, Rochelle L. Dr.; Chaidez, Virginia; Encinger, Amy; and Kreimer, Lee (2020) "Identifying and Assisting Human Trafficking Survivors: A Post-Training Analysis of First Responders," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 47: Iss. 4, Article 2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.4398
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol47/iss4/2