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Research note: challenges of identifying female human trafficking victims using a national 1-800 call center

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Abstract

Human trafficking is a complex global and national crime problem harming victims physically, psychologically, and financially. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA), Pub. La 106–386, and subsequent reauthorizations, provide assistance and benefits to foreign born victims of labor or sexual human trafficking who are here in the United States. The strategies used to encourage victims to come forward were modeled on those used in the anti- domestic violence (DV) and child protection movements. These include initiatives alerting the public to domestic violence situations through awareness campaigns to increase tips as well as calls for service to police. Other public service initiatives urge victims themselves to self-identify by calling 1-800 numbers. While these techniques have shown success in reducing incidences of domestic violence and providing help to victims, their use to combat sex trafficking has not produced the same level of results. This note explores the challenges for immigrant women victims to self-identify as trafficking victims and urges that evidence-based research is needed to determine the efficacy of a national call center approach.

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Notes

  1. Monthly call and email data tallies were reported to DHHS-ORR and other federal agencies involved with anti-trafficking programs. In 2008, DHHS-ORR and Lockheed Martin, the federal contractor for the project granted this author permission to examine the data.

  2. The contract start date was early in June 2005. During 2006, the Rescue and Restore awareness campaign was suspended for contract re-procurement which may explain drops in call volume during some months. During 2007, DHHS authorized billboard PSA ads be placed in strategic cities to increase awareness beyond distribution of just printed and web-based materials which may have increased call volumes during the months that the ads were introduced. The final contract year ran from June to mid November.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Criminology, Washington College, 300 Washington Ave, Chestertown, MD, 21620, USA

    Andrea Lange

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  1. Andrea Lange
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Correspondence to Andrea Lange.

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Lange, A. Research note: challenges of identifying female human trafficking victims using a national 1-800 call center. Trends Organ Crim 14, 47–55 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12117-010-9107-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12117-010-9107-8

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