Identifying Challenges to Improve the Investigation and Prosecution of State and Local Human Trafficking Cases

Outline:

Utilizing a multi-method approach to understand the challenges local and state officials face investigating and prosecuting human trafficking cases, this study helps us identify and recommend strategies to overcome barriers to local investigation and prosecution of human trafficking. This study includes a systematic review of human trafficking case records in a targeted sample of counties across the U.S. Cases were coded to identify key factors related to identification, classification, investigation, arrests, charging decisions, victim participation and case outcomes. Additionally basic demographic information on offenders and victims was recorded.