Human Trafficking in the Midwest: Service Providers’ Perspectives on Sex and Labor Trafficking

Abstract

This report covers the findings of ASHTI’s two-state survey to gather information from service providers working with vulnerable persons in the Midwest. Based on previous ASHTI interviews, the research team created a survey for a broad range of service providers who worked with vulnerable or trafficked persons. These service providers were selected because of their system-wide perspective on exploitation and vulnerability as well as their in-depth knowledge of individual client cases. This survey asked a range of questions to address: 1. If service providers believe they have encountered human trafficking? 2. What markers of physical or mental health are used to identify trafficked persons? 3. Which social factors can increase the risk of exploitation or trafficking? 4. What community resources can protect against the risk of trafficking?