Human Trafficking Collaborative Network

Advocacy for human rights, such as the anti-human trafficking movement, has relied on volunteerism and the good will of experts providing pro bono work. There is a lack of evidence-based research to examine factors that could increase political engagement dedicated to combating human trafficking and exploitation or similar forms of human rights violation. What helps community organizers enhance engagement and learning on human trafficking in the communities?

To answer this question, we utilized the concept of political efficacy – a belief that your actions can produce a political or social change and performing such duties is worthwhile. Using data from a survey conducted by the Human Trafficking Collaborative Network (HTCN) we sought to examine how political efficacy is linked with other political activities and advocates’ personal characteristics. Using a statistical technique called path analyses, our study found that the number of organizations a participant is involved in has significant effects on both their internal political efficacy and the number of human trafficking-related resources the participant is familiar with. The analysis also indicated that internal political efficacy “influences” the number of human trafficking-related events attended as well as the number of organizations the participant is a part of. We did not find an association of external political efficacy, or the belief that the government will respond to one’s demand, with any other measure. This may be due to the data having been collected during the Covid-19 pandemic, which coincided with the political turmoil in the US at the time. The results show that human trafficking educational events would increase advocates’ sense of empowerment, which in turn improves community engagement.

This work was supported by the Institute for Public Health’s Public Health-Cubed funding mechanism.

In July, 2020, HTCN hosted a two-part series in collaboration with the United Nations Association (UNA-USA) of St. Louis and National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW)-St. Louis. Part II and held a two-part webinar series titled “Post-Covid19 Anti-Trafficking Strategies”. Part I “Global Perspectives on Trafficking in Persons Counter Measures” included the plans in mitigating the anticipated increase in numbers of vulnerable populations around the world as well as how supply side global networks will change during and in the post-Covid19 era.  Part II “Virtual Town Hall with Missouri and Illinois Legislators” was an interactive session with three Missouri and Illinois legislators.

Watch on Vimeo.