July 2021Monthly Update
Updates
Save the Date: 2021 HT-RADAR Annual Research Conference
Save the date for the Annual HT-RADAR 2021 Virtual Conference on October 15, 2021
The HT-RADAR 2021 Human Trafficking Research Conference is an opportunity to:
- Learn about local and national human trafficking research that applies to the specific needs, practices, and approaches of a variety of stakeholders (law enforcement, prosecution, victim services, survivors, etc.).
- Become informed of some of the most current local and national human trafficking research.
- Network with local and national experts from different areas of human trafficking research.
- Discuss how to implement research into specific stakeholder areas with consultation from local and national experts.
- Directly share research with stakeholders to potentially influence stakeholder practices, approaches, and policies.
Additional conference details to follow
Meet the new Co-Chairs for the San Diego Advisory Council Research & Data Subcommittee!
Please join us in welcoming our new Research & Data Subcommittee Co-Chairs: Dr. Monica Ulibarri & Arduizur Carli Richie-Zavaleta DrPH, MASP, MAIPS!
Dr. Monica Ulibarri is a Professor in the California School of Professional Psychology Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program at Alliant International University and holds an appointment as a Voluntary Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UCSD. Dr. Ulibarri received her B.A. in Psychology from Claremont McKenna College, and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Arizona State University. Dr. Ulibarri’s research focuses on gender-based violence, substance use, and mental health among sexually exploited women and girls and people who inject drugs. Dr. Ulibarri has served as co-chair for the HT-Council Research and Data subcommittee for the past two years and is eligible for re-election.
Arduizur Carli Richie-Zavaleta, DrPH, MASP, MAIPS, is an adjunct faculty at the Graduate and Professional Studies Program of the University of New England where she mentors and guides MPH students through their capstone projects and practicum projects. Dr. Richie-Zavaleta graduated from the Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University with a doctorate in public health with emphasis in community health and prevention. Her diverse academic and professional background encompasses public health, sociological practices, and human rights. Her research interest focuses on vulnerable and marginalized populations such as victims and survivors of sex trafficking, immigrants, and disenfranchised youth. Her dissertation focused on bringing forth the the experiences of survivors of sex trafficking and their intersection with healthcare services with the aim to inform best practices at such settings. Her work has been published in the Journal of Human Trafficking, International Journal of Human Rights in Health Care and Sexes.
Quarterly Meeting
HT-RADAR Quarterly Meeting
The next HT-RADAR meeting is scheduled for September 23rd 2021 from 11:30am to 1:30pm (PST) and will be held virtually over Zoom. Meeting details to follow.
Please join us in completing a brief survey to help determine how we will hold the HT-RADAR meetings moving forward. The survey is available here
We appreciate your collaboration and feedback! Thank you!
Community Highlights
2021 Trafficking in Persons Report
The 2021 Trafficking in Persons Report was released on July 1st 2021. This year’s Trafficking in Persons Report sends a strong message to the world that global crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and enduring discriminatory policies and practices, have a disproportionate effect on individuals already oppressed by other injustices.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a health crisis with unprecedented repercussions for human rights and economic development globally, including in human trafficking. COVID-19 generated conditions that increased the number of people who experienced vulnerabilities to human trafficking and interrupted existing and planned anti-trafficking interventions. Governments across the world diverted resources toward the pandemic, often at the expense of anti-trafficking efforts, resulting in decreased protection measures and service provision for victims, reduction of preventative efforts, and hindrances to investigations and prosecutions of traffickers. At the same time, human traffickers quickly adapted to capitalize on the vulnerabilities exposed and exacerbated by the pandemic.
Despite the significant disruptions to efforts to combat this crime, the anti-trafficking community found ways to adapt and forged new relationships to overcome the challenges. Some governments and organizations conducted in-depth assessments to identify the changing trends. Others leveraged technology to drive innovative solutions. Many aligned policies and practices to current realities. Nonetheless, the challenges uncovered by COVID-19 are monumental and may be long lasting, requiring sustained collaboration among governments, civil society organizations, private sector leaders, survivor leaders, and other anti-trafficking actors to adjust and respond aptly to overcome these challenges. As a result, this year’s TIP Report introduction highlights human trafficking issues related to COVID-19, with special focus on how anti-trafficking stakeholders adapted in rapidly changing environments. It reflects on the lessons learned from practitioners and offers considerations to rebuild momentum through coordinated anti-trafficking strategies. The introduction also illustrates collaborative ways to reimagine anti-trafficking efforts with an emphasis on preparedness to prevent compounding effects of future crises on trafficking victims and vulnerable individuals, as well as efforts to combat the most recent emerging human trafficking trends.
The full report is available here
Labor Exploitation and Trafficking of Agricultural Workers During the Pandemic
Over the last year, Polaris examined data from the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline to determine the potential impact of the COVID19 pandemic on human trafficking in the United States. The effort involved comparing the volume of identified likely trafficking situations in separate periods before and during the pandemic response. In addition, differences in the demographics and other characteristics of situations were examined. It is important to note the limitations of this analysis. First, this is an exploration of correlation and not causation, meaning that the Background findings are not proof that the changes are caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Next, the Trafficking Hotline exists to assist victims and survivors of human trafficking and data is gathered only for the purpose of providing that assistance; therefore, every person who makes contact with the Trafficking Hotline is not asked the exact same questions. This contributes to the possible measurement variation. This brief is the third in a planned series presenting timely analysis and evidence to guide efforts to respond to emerging needs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The full brief is available here
Report: Peer-Led Support Groups: Overview of the Empirical Research and Implications for Individuals Who Have Experienced Trafficking and Substance Use Disorder
The goal of this literature review is to (1) provide an overview of peer support groups and associated outcomes for individuals who have experienced trafficking and substance use disorder; (2) explore how existing peer support group models can benefit individuals with co-occurring disorders who have experienced trafficking; and (3) discuss recommendations for leveraging promising strategies that align with the needs of individuals who have experienced trafficking. Limited research has been published on the use of peer support groups with individuals who have experienced trafficking, thus this literature review focuses on the ways peer support groups have been used with different populations who have experienced substance use and victimization.
The publication is available here
This publication was funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP), contract number HHSP233201500071I/HHSP23337011T, and produced by the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center (NHTTAC), which is managed by ICF.The views expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions and positions of the Office on Trafficking in Persons, Administration for Children and Families, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
New Online Training on Working With Young Men and Boys of Color
Crime victim service providers consider a range of factors when working with their clients, including mental health, exposure to trauma, and available criminal justice or social services. However, too often age, gender, and race are not considered when providing services.
The OVC Training and Technical Assistance Center recently launched a training to help the field provide effective services to young men and boys of color. This 90-minute Providing Effective Services to Young Men and Boys of Color online training helps users:
- Apply a client-centered approach with young men and boys of color who are victims of crime. Identify the impact of historical events, racial discrimination, implicit bias, and other socio-ecological factors that impact help-seeking.
- Assess various types of risks, including psychological, physical, and social safety.
- develop effective safety plans with each victim.
The training is available here
Opportunities and Resources
Webinars
HT-RADAR will now offer information about webinars focused on anti-trafficking work and anti-trafficking research. As many of us are working remotely, here are some resources for additional educational opportunities:
Racism & the Anti-Trafficking Movement
Hosted by: The Human Trafficking Legal Center
In 2021, a coalition of survivor leaders and the Human Trafficking Legal Center conducted a survey on racism in the anti-trafficking movement. The survey, distributed in multiple languages, sought to learn more about the impact of systemic and structural racism experienced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) trafficking survivors. More than 80 survivor participants responded to the survey. Their answers provided insight into their lived experience navigating support services, legal issues, health care, and the anti-trafficking community. Centering the expertise of survivors can help to reframe structures of power and authority within anti-trafficking organizations, driving more effective policies and interventions. This is a spirited discussion led by four survivor leaders on integrating inclusion and equity in the anti-trafficking community.
The 6 C’s of Becoming an Advocate
Hosted by: Freedom Network USA
This is video is an accompaniment to The 6 C’s of Becoming an Advocate toolkit; a collaborative project of The Survivor Alliance, International Institute of Buffalo and Freedom Network USA. The goal of this collaboration is to support human trafficking survivors decide how or if they want to be involved in the anti-trafficking movement. This video features seasoned survivor leaders from across the US. They share details about the work they do and the lessons they have learned along the way.
HEAL Research Webinar: Outcomes for Human Trafficking Survivors (OHTS) Instrument
Hosted by: HEAL Trafficking
HEAL Trafficking discussed “Outcomes for Human Trafficking Survivors (OHTS) Instrument” with Dr. Stacey Cutbush and Samantha Charm from RTI International’s Division of Applied Justice Research.This presentation described the development and testing of a tool to measure service outcomes for human trafficking survivors. This user-friendly, excel-based tool measures changes in feelings of safety, well-being, social connectedness, and self-sufficiency. The tool is relevant to programs serving minor and adult victims of sex and labor trafficking, and is available to service providers at no cost.
Upcoming Conferences
(Listed here)
This resource page is regularly updated. Questions? Or know of conferences that you’d like to share with the HT-RADAR network? Contact us!
During this uncertain time conference dates are changing frequently. Please note these dates may be changed and changes will be updated on the HT-RADAR website.
The Coalition to End Sexual Exploitation (CESE) Online Global Summit
Hosted by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation
Virtual Conference: July 20-24, 2021
26th San Diego International Summit on Violence, Abuse & Trauma Across the Lifespan
Hosted by Institute on Violence and Trauma
San Diego, CA: August 26, 2021 – September 1, 2021
2021 Domestic Violence Solutions Conference
Hosted by Utah Domestic Violence Coalition & the Utah Association for Domestic Violence Treatment
Virtual Conference: September 15-17, 2021
Hosted by Shared Hope International
Washington DC: November 17-19, 2021
International Human Trafficking & Social Justice Conference
Hosted by: The University of Toledo
Virtual Conference: September 22-24, 2021
Funding Opportunities
(Listed here)
This resource page is regularly updated.
The SVRI Research Grant
Source: Sexual Violence Research Initiative
The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) is inviting applications for innovative research that will contribute to the prevention and response of violence against women (VAW), violence against children (VAC) and other forms of violence driven by gender inequality in low and middle income countries.
Close Date: August 2, 2021
OVW Fiscal Year 2021 National Service Line for Incarcerated Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Source: Office on Violence Against Women
DOJ estimates that hundreds of thousands of incidents of sexual abuse and sexual harassment occur every year in prisons and jails across the country.As a result, the goal of the National Service Line for Incarcerated Survivors of Sexual Abuse Initiative (Initiative) is to determine if and how a National Sexual Abuse Service Line (Service Line) could assist correctional agencies and facilities across the nation to achieve and maintain compliance with PREA Standards.
Close Date: September 01, 2021