Victims of Human Trafficking in the Midwest: 2003-2005 Needs Assessment and Program Evaluation Commissioned by the Office for Victims of Crime, Department of Justice

• NCJ Number: 251417
• Author(s): Curtis Jones; Paulette Yousefzadeh
• Date Published: April 2006
• Length: 58 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2003-VT-BX-K002; 2003-VT-BX-K003
• Sponsoring Agency: Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)
• Sale Source: Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)
• Publication Format: Document; Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Evaluation; Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report integrates the findings and methodologies of a needs assessment and program evaluation of the Midwest Counter-Trafficking Program, with funding from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime (OVC).

Abstract

The needs assessment examined where trafficking victims are likely to be found in the Midwest and the preparedness of service providers and law enforcement entities to address human trafficking in their communities. The needs assessment determined that the prevalence and diversity of the Midwest's immigrant population and economic characteristics suggest that this region of the United States may be susceptible to human trafficking. The needs assessment also determined that more training opportunities on human trafficking are needed for service providers and law enforcement agencies across the Midwest. In addition, local trafficking prevention and response initiatives should increase outreach to service-provider organizations likely to come into contact with trafficking victims. The interim evaluation focused on Heartland Alliance's Midwest Immigrant & Human Rights Center (MIHRC) in Chicago, specifically its activities from January 2003 through December 2005. The evaluation was done in MIHRC's third year as the primary legal and social service provider/coordinator for potential victims of trafficking in the Midwest, as well as the information and training resource for human-trafficking-related issues in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The evaluation focused on case management and social services, community outreach and training, and changes in policy and practice. The evaluation concludes that MIHRC has done much to disseminate information to a variety of organizations and raise their awareness of human trafficking and its victims. It has also succeeded in training a large number of professionals across disciplines in identifying and serving trafficking victims. Recommendations for improvement are offered. Extensive tables, 8 references, and appended project tools