Spring 2020Newsletter
Quarterly Meeting
Next Quarterly Meeting: June 25th 2020
The next quarterly meeting is scheduled for June 25th from 11:30am – 1:30pm and will be provided as a virtual meeting through Zoom.
Dr. Lianne Urada, with SDSU MSW graduate co-investigators Lauren Azar, Christian Cacho, and John Kennon, will present the extent of and intersections between human trafficking (sex trade and sexual exploitation), housing instability, and food insecurity among San Diego State University students.
Lauren Azar completed her Master of Social Work (MSW) at the San Diego State University School of Social Work with a concentration in Administration and Community Development. Since starting her BS in Human Biology at UC Santa Cruz, she has taken a strong interest in research regarding sexual exploitation and participated in an array of anti-trafficking efforts. In her MSW, she assisted Dr. Lianne A. Urada with various research projects including a peer advocacy training for women living with HIV that integrated human trafficking, intimate partner violence, and substance use issues, as well as, interviewed participants living with homelessness at the downtown Central library about housing instability, mental health issues, and substance use. She received a Dean’s award at this year’s SDSU Student Research Symposium for her study on human trafficking/sexual exploitation among San Diego university students.
Christian Cacho completed his bachelor in Sociology and Public Health at University of California, Irvine. Recently, he has also completed his Master of Social Work (MSW) at San Diego State University’s School of Social Work with a concentration in Direct Practice. Since undergrad he has had a strong interest in research regarding sexual assault on college campuses and has been a part of various advocacy groups in Orange County and San Diego. During the final year of his MSW program, he assisted and completed a research project with Dr. Lianne A. Urada looking into related risk factors contributing college sexual assault and Greek Affiliation.
John Kennon completed his Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) and Masters of Social Work (MSW) at the San Diego State University School of Social Work with a concentration in Administration and Community Development. His area of interest is in matters of food and housing insecurity. John’s advanced year internship was spent at Cuyamaca College, working to provide services for food and housing insecure students on campus. Additionally, his research for that same year was focused on exploring how intersectional identities, substance use, and financial insecurity can threaten the human right to food on college campuses.
In addition, Bandak Lul, MA from The Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research (STIR) is in the School of Social Work, within the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions at Arizona State University will presenting: Trick Roll Study: Forced Criminality in Sex Trafficking Situations. Bandak Lul is an acclaimed refugee advocate and human rights activist. His is also a research project manager at Arizona State Univisety’s Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research (STIR). He holds a Master’s Degree in Social Justice & Human Rights and holds two bachelor’s degrees: BA in Political Science and BA in Sociology.
The STIR office, opened in the Spring of 2013, is staffed by academics, researchers and law enforcement community research partners. The goal of the STIR office is to be a central source of research on domestic sex trafficking to inform the decisions made by those who contact victims and perpetrators of sex trafficking, including law enforcement and prosecutors, educators, medical services and social services. Research disseminated from the Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research significantly contributes to the knowledge base about sex trafficking by introducing innovative research methodologies and unique partnerships in the development of new knowledge.
After the June quarterly meeting we will survey the HT-RADAR network to determine how to best support the region, including research interests, needs and collaboration opportunities. We will also be seeking input on how to best structure our meetings moving forward. Thank you for your participation when you receive the survey.
ht-radar@pointloma.edu **
Updates
New HT-RADAR Program Director hired: Clara Anne Wagner
We are pleased to announce Clara Anne Wagner as the new Program Director for HT-RADAR. Clara Anne joins us from The International Rescue Committee in Phoenix, Arizona. At the IRC Clara Anne was Direct Services Manager for programs that address vulnerable populations who require intensive services in the Phoenix region. She was also responsible for community outreach and partnerships, grant writing and management and monitoring and evaluation of all program activities. Her passion is working with populations that have been exploited by human trafficking, and we are thrilled to have her join our team.
Note from Clara Anne Wagner:
Hello Everyone!
I hope this finds you well. I have officially started my remote work as of April 20th 2020 and am looking forward to connecting with you all. During my first few weeks in this new role I have learned a lot about the history and structure of HT-RADAR. In addition, I have been able to get a sense of who is involved in Anti Trafficking work in the San Diego area and hope to learn more about that great work that has been happening in your city. I am looking forward to connecting with all of you and learning more about how we can collaborate in the future. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me to schedule a time to meet virtually: cwagner@pointloma.edu
Kind Regards,
Clara Anne Wagner
Research Highlights
From Victimization to Restoration: Multi-Disciplinary Collaborative Approaches to Care and Support Victims and Survivors of Human Trafficking
Arduizur Carli Richie-Zavaleta, Sarah Baranik, Stephanie Mersch, Janna Ataiants & Shea M. Rhodes
ABSTRACT
In 2000, the United States (U.S.) enacted the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, a law that defined Human Trafficking (HT). Between 2000 and 2019, every state has enacted laws criminalizing HT. In 2015, the U.S. government encouraged health-care providers to gain awareness of this issue and utilize identification protocols to screen and assist HT patient-victims. Although HT became part of the health-care discourse, few states have enacted laws requiring training for health-care providers or protocols for the identification of patient-victims. Thus, HT victims continue to go unidentified or under-screened in medical settings. The health outcomes of HT victims continue to be negatively impacted long after being trafficked; hence, intervention is crucial and requires a multi-disciplinary response. This analysis proposes the collaboration of medicine, public health, law, and human rights fields as an optimal model. It also provides the historical progression of federal and state human-trafficking laws and recommendations to ensure the protection of human rights of HT victims. Key recommendations include: (a) mandating continuous training of health-care providers for the identification of HT patient-victims, (b) mirroring federal laws at the state level to ensure the protection of HT victims’ human rights, and (c) collaboration across noted fields.
Arduizur Carli Richie-Zavaleta, PhD, MASP, MAIPS
Dr. Richie-Zavaleta received her doctoral degree from the Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health. Her dissertation explored the intersection of Survivors of Sex Trafficking in the United States with the healthcare setting, their medical needs while trafficked, and their recommendations to best identify victims of Human Trafficking in the healthcare setting.
“My journey into public health began when conducting an exploratory research project in San Diego, CA, which delved into the issue of human trafficking. Its finding pointed to the fact that in order create effective evidence-based preventive strategies to social perils, I needed tools from the field of public health. Today, public health along with human rights and sociological approaches, continue to deepen my understanding of how to partner in the prevention and intervention of complex social challenges such as gender violence and child abuse. Additionally, the field of public health has clarified for me the great need for advocacy and policy in order to create social change. Although social injustice continues to surface all around us, we have great tools to begin fighting these complexities. Together, we can create social change and achieve the wellbeing of our communities and society at large!” (https://www.une.edu/people/arduizur-carli-richie-zavaleta)
Legislative discrepancies: an analysis of Missouri’s current human trafficking laws and the need to improve its legal protection of victims
ABSTRACT
Purpose
Human trafficking (HT) is a local, national and international problem with a range of human rights, public health and policy implications. Victims of HT face atrocious abuses that negatively impact their health outcomes. When a state lacks protective laws, such as Safe Harbor laws, victims of HT tend to be seen as criminals. This paper aims to highlight the legal present gaps within Missouri’s anti-trafficking legislation and delineates recommendations for the legal protection of victims of HT and betterment of services needed for their reintegration and healing.
Design/methodology/approach
This case-study is based on a policy analysis of current Missouri’s HT laws. This analysis was conducted through examining current rankings systems created by nationally and internationally recognized non-governmental organizations as well as governmental reports. Additionally, other state’s best practice and law passage of Safe Harbor legislations were examined. The recommendations were based on human rights and public health frameworks.
Findings
Missouri is a state that has yet to upgrade its laws lately to reflect Safe Harbor laws. Constant upgrades and evaluations of current efforts are necessary to protect and address HT at the state and local levels. Public health and human rights principles can assist in the upgrading of current laws as well as other states’ best-practice and integration of protective legislation and diversion programs to both youth and adult victims of HT.
Research limitations/implications
Laws are continually being updated at the state level; therefore, there might be some upgrades that have taken place after the analysis of this case study was conducted. Also, the findings and recommendations of this case study are limited to countries that are similar to the USA in terms of the state-level autonomy to pass laws independently from federal law.Practical implications
If Safe Harbor laws are well designed, they have greater potential to protect, support and assist victims of HT in their process from victimization into survivorship as well as to paving the way for societal reintegration. The creation and enforcement of Safe Harbor laws is a way to ensure the decriminalization process. Additionally, this legal protection also ensures that the universal human rights of victims are protected. Consequently, these legal processes and updates could assist in creating healthier communities in the long run in the USA and around the world.
Social implications
From a public health and human rights perspectives, communities in the USA and around the world cannot provide complete protection to victims of HT until their anti-trafficking laws reflect Safe Harbor laws.
Originality/value
This case study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, is a unique analysis that dismantles the discrepancies of Missouri’s current HT laws. This work is valuable to those who create policies at the state level and advocate for the protection of victims and anti-trafficking efforts.
Money Laundering in the Commercial Sex Market in the United States
Youngbee Dale, Dale Consulting
ABSTRACT
This paper describes money laundering techniques used by different criminal organizations operating in the U.S. sex market. Prior to this study, scholars have not investigated money laundering techniques used in the U.S. sex market in a comprehensive manner. This paper describes and categorizes methods used for money laundering. It discusses the similarities and differences in money laundering techniques in the U.S. sex markets. Current challenges to combating money laundering are reviewed and recommendations are made to strengthen the ongoing fight against money laundering in the U.S. sex markets.
Opportunities & Resources
Webinars
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- Center for Victim Research Repository
- World Without Exploitation
- Office for Victims of Crime Technical OVC TTAC
Conferences
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- CCARHT Summer Symposium – Modern Slavery & the Sustainable Development Goals
- Virtual Conference: June 29 – July 3, 2020
- http://www.ccarht.org/site/2020-summer-symposium/
- National Center on Sexual Exploitation
- Free Virtual Conference: July 18-28, 2020
- https://endsexualexploitation.org/cesesummit2020/
- Asia Region Anti-Trafficking Conference
- Virtual Conference:July 21-22, 2020
- https://www.aratconference.com/#home
- ICHTSE 2020: 14. International Conference on Human Trafficking, Slavery and Exploitation
- August 20-21, 2020 in London, United Kingdom
- https://waset.org/human-trafficking-slavery-and-exploitation-conference-in-august-2020-in-london
- 25th International Summit on Violence, Abuse & Trauma Across the Lifespan
- Aug 30 – Sept 2, 2020 in San Diego, CA
- https://www.ivatcenters.org/san-diego-summit
- The University of Toledo’s International Human Trafficking & Social Justice Conference
- Virtual Conference: September 23-25, 2020
- https://www.traffickingconference.com/
- CCARHT Summer Symposium – Modern Slavery & the Sustainable Development Goals
Funding Opportunities
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- Domestic Victims of Human Trafficking Services and Outreach (DVHT-SO) Program
- Close Date: June 24, 2020
- Demonstration Grants to Strengthen the Response to Victims of Human Trafficking in Native Communities (VHT-NC) Program
- Close Date: July 6, 2020
- National Human Trafficking Hotline
- Close Date: July 31, 2020
- Human Trafficking Youth Prevention Education Demonstration Program
- Close Date: July 31, 2020
- Sociological Initiatives Foundation
- Close Date: August 14, 2020
- Wells Fargo Private Foundations
- Close Date: Ongoing
- Domestic Victims of Human Trafficking Services and Outreach (DVHT-SO) Program
About HT-RADAR
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- Learn more about HT-RADAR & the Advisory Council
- Sign-up to receive our quarterly newsletter and invitations to our quarterly meetings
- Utilize available resources, including: information about relevant research conferences, scholarly journals, funding opportunities, and research groups and articles
- Connect with us to advertise and request support for a research need