May 2021Monthly Update

Updates

HT-RADAR 2021 Human Trafficking Research Conference

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

Interested in presenting your research on human trafficking? Please complete the following information form here.


Elections for Co-Chair Positions for the Research Subcommittee

HT-RADAR is partnering with the San Diego Advisory Council Research Subcommittee to hold the elections and is now accepting nominations from now until Mary 21st 2021!

Requirements for Co-Chairs
  • Must reside in San Diego County or Tijuana and must attend the Advisory Council meetings, which are held every second Wednesday of each month from 1:30-3pm.
  • Must be a researcher or data analyst, preferably with human trafficking research experience, and be affiliated with an educational institution, research institute, social service agency and/or government entity.
  • Elected co-chairs must be from 2 different institutions, institutes, agencies, and/or entities.  Diversity in leadership is encouraged.
Requirements for Nominating & Voting
  • In order to be eligible to vote and/or nominate a candidate for a co-chair position, individuals must reside in San Diego County or Tijuana and must have attended an HT-RADAR quarterly meeting or other equivalent human trafficking related research meetings (e.g. HT-RADAR’s Research Conference, Unity Coalition meetings, related academic guild meetings, etc.).
  • Voting will be conducted online.  Eligible voters will receive a ballot via Survey Monkey and will have the opportunity to submit one ballot anonymously.
Candidates
  • Individuals who are eligible to vote and nominate (see “Requirements” above) can nominate others or themselves so long as nominees meet the following criteria:
  • Must reside in San Diego County or Tijuana and must be a researcher or data analyst, preferably with human trafficking research experience, and be affiliated with an educational institution, research institute, social service agency and/or government entity.
  • Elected co-chairs must be from 2 different institutions, institutes, agencies, and/or entities.  Diversity in leadership is encouraged.

Nominations should be sent to ht-radar@pointloma.edu Please send the nominee’s full name, position, affiliation, and email address.

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Quarterly Meeting

HT-RADAR Quarterly Meeting: HTI Labs: A Company Using Data Science to Unmask Trafficking Networks 

The next HT-RADAR meeting is scheduled for June 24th 2021 from 11:30am to 1:30pm (PST) and will be held virtually over Zoom.

Please make sure to register in advance for this meeting!
Registration Link: here
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Crysta Price, the founder of HTI Labs, a company using data science to unmask trafficking networks, will discuss the origins of her company, the hurdles to effective trafficking response, and the ecosystem of products that she is developing to overcome these obstacles in countering human trafficking. She will discuss what effective implementation of these approaches has looked like, focusing on the importance of impact-focused processes. She will conclude with discussions surrounding the broader implications of applying data science to combat human trafficking,  highlighting opportunities for novel data generation, reliable prevalence estimates, policy-minded research, and ultimately, more informed, and effective system response.

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Community Highlights

Far Too Socially Distant: Trafficking in Persons Policy Responses for Governments in the
COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond

USCRI recently released its latest publication entitled, Far Too Socially Distant: Trafficking in Persons Policy Responses for Governments in the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond. In this report, the various impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on trafficking flows, victims, offenders, social services providers, and law enforcement are explored. The paper gives detailed recommendations on how national governments across the globe can better respond to these impacts, both in the short and long terms.
  • Full report of the publication is available here
  • Summary of key findings is available here

 

 

 

 


Report: Listening Sessions on Men and Boys

In response to recommendations from the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking, the Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funded training and technical assistance activities to increase attention on men and boys as an underserved population. OTIP established a technical working group of subject matter experts and implemented subsequent listening sessions through its National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center (NHTTAC).

Two listening sessions held in September 2020 provided a forum for attendees to use the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) social-ecological model to create a framework on trafficking of men and boys. The first session explored risk factors and barriers to accessing services. The second session built on the first, exploring protective and resiliency factors to inform enhanced services for men and boys.

A full report of the listening session is available here

Human Trafficking and Health Care Providers: Legal Requirements for Reporting and Education

The majority of trafficked persons in the United States access health care at some point during their exploitation. Health care providers who treat victims of human trafficking are subject to a patchwork of some-times inconsistent laws regarding their reporting obligations. Which patients should or must be reported and to whom vary from state to state and are often not congruent with federal law obligations. In addition, an increasing number of states impose education requirements for health care providers related to human trafficking.

As part of the American Hospital Association’s Hospitals Against Violence initiative, the AHA, Jones Day, and HEAL Trafficking have come together to provide resources to health care providers across the nation who are fighting the global scourge of human trafficking. To support that initiative, Jones Day has prepared the attached tool to help providers navigate the complex roadmap of their reporting and education obligations. With the increased role of telehealth and multi-state practitioners, the need for this type of resource is growing. AHA, HEAL Trafficking, and Jones Day are pleased to be able to provide this tool as a resource for use without charge.

The tool covers, for the federal government and each of the 50 United States, a summary of the applicable laws on the following topics: reporting of child abuse; reporting of sex and / or labor trafficking; and required regulation of anti-trafficking education of health care providers. In the minority of states that require reporting of adult (rather than child) trafficking victims, those additional reporting laws are designated in special blue font.

The tool outlines the federal and state statutes and corresponding regulations for mandatory reporting and education requirements for health care providers. The tool does not address the many other considerations for medical professionals regarding trafficking, including confidentiality, decision-making capacity of trafficking victims, and appropriate protocols for care of the victim.

Additional details and access to the tool is available here

OVC’s The Vicarious Trauma Toolkit

The Vicarious Trauma Toolkit (VTT) was developed on the premise that exposure to the traumatic experiences of other people—known as vicarious trauma—is an inevitable occupational challenge for the fields of victim services, emergency medical services, fire services, law enforcement, and other allied professionals; however, organizations can mitigate the potentially negative effects of trauma exposure by becoming vicarious trauma-informed. Research shows that vicarious trauma, when left unaddressed, can lead to staff burnout, turnover, stress, and a lesser quality of services for victims. Organizations can mitigate the potentially negative effects of trauma exposure by becoming vicarious trauma-informed.

The Vicarious Trauma Toolkit offers guidance on how to address work-related exposure to trauma. The Blueprint for a Vicarious Trauma-Informed Organization section of the toolkit provides organizations with a step-by-step guide to help begin the process of becoming more trauma-informed.

Additional information about the VTT is available here

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Opportunities & Resources

Webinars

HT-RADAR now offers 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:

Implementing a Victim-centered, Trauma-informed Program for Survivors of Human Trafficking

Hosted by: National Center for Victims of Crime

Three national experts share their insight and answer participant questions during this hour-long session on applying and enhancing policies and procedures centered on survivor safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment. This no-cost webinar is part of the Ask and Expert Series sponsored by the Office for Victims of Crime, Human Trafficking Capacity Building Center.

Labor Trafficking of Agricultural Workers: Increasing Identification Through Outreach

Hosted by: FRAMEWORK tools to combat labor trafficking 

In this event, participants gained insight into conducting outreach to individuals at risk for labor trafficking in the agricultural industry, including recommendations for material formation, access points, and strategic partnerships.

Trauma-Conscious and Person-Centered Service Delivery in a Virtual Setting

Hosted by: The Sanar Institute & Project TRUST

The Sanar Institute, in collaboration with Project TRUST, hosted a webinar on December 17th on Trauma-Conscious and Person-Centered Service Delivery in a Virtual Setting.

Building Communities Together: How to End Human Trafficking in Local Communities

Hosted by: Free the Slaves 

This one-hour virtual lunch-and-learn event sponsored by Florida Power and Light, raised awareness about how communities can work together to end modern slavery. The panel discussion featured powerful voices in the fight against human trafficking and modern slavery: Wade Litchfield, vice president and general counsel at Florida Power and Light and board member of Free the Slaves; Timothy Patrick McCarthy, Harvard University professor and board chair of Free the Slaves; Bukeni Waruzi, executive director of Free the Slaves; Ashley Moody, Florida attorney general.

For more information regarding webinars and educational opportunities, please visit: ht-radarabolishhumantrafficking.com.

Conferences

(Listed here)

This resource 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.

2021 Annual Research Meeting

Hosted by Academy Health

Virtual Conference: June 12-15, 2021

Exploitation 2021: Tackling the Culture and Challenges of Trafficking, Slavery and County Lines

Hosted by University of Kent

Virtual Conference: June 24-25, 2021

International Conference on Human Trafficking, Slavery and Exploitation

Hosted by World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology

London: August 19-20-2021

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

For more information regarding research conferences, please visit:  ht-radar.abolishhumantrafficking.com.

Funding Opportunities

(Listed here)

This resource page is regularly updated.

OVC FY 2021 Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking

Source: Office of Victims of Crime 

The overall goal of the program is to improve responses for child and youth victims of trafficking with a focus on coordination at the statewide or tribal jurisdiction level to create effective change across systems.

Step 1 Deadline: June 15, 2021 & Step 2 Deadline: June 29, 2021

OVC FY 2021 Enhanced Collaborative Model Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking

Source: Office of Victims of Crime 

This program’s purpose is to develop, expand, or strengthen a multidisciplinary approach to fight human trafficking.

Step 1 Deadline: June 15, 2021 & Step 2 Deadline: June 29, 2021:

OVC FY 2021 Services for Minor Victims of Sex Trafficking

Source: Office of Victims of Crime 

The purpose of this program is to develop, expand, or strengthen victim service programs for minor victims of sex trafficking, whose victimization occurred when they were under the age of 18.

Step 1 Deadline: June 22, 2021 & Step 2 Deadline: July 6, 2021 

Research on the Impact of Public Policy on Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Justice System

Source: National Institute of Justice 

With this solicitation, NIJ seeks applications for funding of investigator-initiated proposals for evidence-based, nonpartisan analyses of existing evidence to examine how observed racial and ethnic disparities in the justice system might be reduced through public policy. NIJ seeks applications in two categories: Research to Identify Policy Interventions & Secondary Analysis of Data from Relevant Existing Studies.

Step 1 Deadline: June 11, 2021 & Step 2 Deadline: June 21, 2021

OVC FY 2021 Advancing the Use of Technology to Assist Victims of Crime

Source: Office of Victims of Crime 

Through this solicitation, OVC seeks to provide funding to organizations that demonstrate innovative strategies to create, expand, or enhance the use of technology in innovative ways to interact directly with crime victims and/or to provide information, referrals, crisis assistance, and longer-term help.

Step 1 Deadline: June 14, 2021 & Step 2 Deadline: June 28, 2021  

OVC FY 2021 Emergency and Transitional Pet Shelter and Housing Assistance Grant Program

Source: Office of Victims of Crime 

This program will provide funding for shelter and transitional housing and other assistance to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking and their companion animals.

Step 1 Deadline: June 15, 2021 & Step 2 Deadline: June 29, 2021  

OVC FY 2021 Expanding Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Services to Victims of Sexual Assault

Source: Office of Victims of Crime 

OVC is seeking applications to establish or expand sexual assault examination programs that focus on improving the provision of sexual assault care. This solicitation will also fund one applicant to provide technical assistance to all awarded recipients under Purpose Area 1 and previously funded FY 2020 OVC SANE Campus grantees.

Step 1 Deadline: June 15, 2021 & Step 2 Deadline: June 29, 2021 

For more information regarding funding opportunities, please visit:  ht-radar.abolishhumantrafficking.com.

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