While antitrafficking federal and state policies, service programs, and advocacy efforts have expanded significantly since the passage of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act in 2000, little is known about how social work research and practice engage with the distinct vulnerabilities of foreign-national minors subjected to labor trafficking. This scoping review examines existing social work scholarship on labor trafficking of immigrant children and youth. The authors' findings suggest that while human service professionals play a critical role in identifying and supporting trafficked youth-often through schools, healthcare settings, and social service agencies-research remains disproportionately focused on sex trafficking. Although the 12 studies partially addressed child labor trafficking, their primary focus was on domestic child trafficking more generally, often using aggregated data that combined sex and labor trafficking survivors under the broader category of human trafficking. The authors highlight key gaps in research and propose directions for strengthening social work's engagement with labor-trafficked immigrant youth, ensuring more informed and effective responses to their needs.

Navigating substance use and recovery: Service provider insights on peer support for survivors of sex trafficking.

Survivors of sex trafficking often experience co-occurring substance use and face significant barriers to accessing care. Harm reduction offers a nonjudgmental, survivor-centered approach to mitigating health risks associated with substance use and commercial sex. However, limited research has explored how harm reduction is understood and implemented by service providers working with this population. This study aimed to examine service providers' perspectives on the role, impact, and challenges of harm reduction in supporting survivors of sex trafficking who use substances. This qualitative study employed purposive and snowball sampling to recruit 21 service providers from human trafficking, domestic violence, and other agencies across the southwestern US who serve survivors of sex trafficking. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore participants' experiences with harm reduction strategies, perceived barriers, and relational dynamics in service provision. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke's six-step process. A constant comparative method was used to refine codes and identify emergent themes. Five major themes were identified: (1) comprehensive harm reduction as a lifesaving strategy, (2) education and health literacy as critical intervention tools, (3) navigating barriers to harm reduction, (4) relational foundations of harm reduction, and (5) ambivalence toward harm reduction as a standalone strategy. Participants described harm reduction as essential to preventing overdose, reducing disease transmission, and fostering engagement through nonjudgmental care. They emphasized the importance of peer-led outreach, trauma-informed education, and holistic support that includes meeting basic needs. However, providers also reported legal and institutional constraints, funding challenges, and public misconceptions that hindered implementation. A minority of participants expressed ambivalence about harm reduction, reflecting ongoing tensions between abstinence-based and non-abstinence approaches. Harm reduction is viewed by providers as a vital, relational, and flexible approach to supporting survivors of sex trafficking who use substances. Findings highlight the need for policy reform, increased investment in peer-led and trauma-informed models, and broader cultural shifts to reduce stigma. Future research should include survivor perspectives and explore harm reduction strategies across diverse geographic and demographic contexts.

Yoga is rapidly gaining popularity as a mind-body intervention with notable benefits on both physical and mental health for survivors of traumatic experiences, such as human trafficking. Among trauma survivors, yoga is associated with significant improvements in psychological symptoms and social functioning. However, little is known about the specific mechanisms through which mind-body practices improve social functioning. In this study, we assessed changes in perceived social support and compassion among female human trafficking survivors (N = 10) in Kampala, Uganda, who participated in a mind-body intervention in a shelter setting. Quantitative survey measures indicate increases, though not statistically significant, in perceived social support and compassion toward others. We also conducted a qualitative analysis of interviews with intervention participants. Qualitative findings highlight the importance of having structured opportunities to interact with fellow survivors and opportunities to discuss prior traumatic experiences that may or may not have been related to human trafficking. Findings from this study have important implications for the utilization of mind-body interventions among trauma survivors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Human trafficking is a transnational organized crime that poses a serious threat to human rights and frequently involves multiple actors with varying degrees of participation, including accomplices (medeplichtigheid). However, the legal interpretation of aiding and abetting and the corresponding scope of criminal liability continue to present challenges in law enforcement practice. This study aims to analyze the legal determination of aiding and abetting in human trafficking offenses under Indonesian criminal law and to formulate the limits of criminal liability for individuals who fulfill this element, while emphasizing victim protection as a primary objective. The study employs a normative legal research method using statutory, conceptual, and case-based approaches. The findings indicate that aiding and abetting in human trafficking requires the existence of actual assistance, intentional participation, and a functional connection between the assistance provided and the exploitation of the victim. Criminal liability should therefore be assessed based on the degree of culpability and the extent of an accomplice’s contribution to the trafficking network. The study concludes that clearer legal standards regarding aiding and abetting can strengthen efforts to combat human trafficking while enhancing the protection, recovery, and fulfillment of victims’ rights.

ABSTRACT Human trafficking intersects with cyber scams, yet Korean cases remain underexplored. This study provides an in-depth analysis of Korean-targeted recruitment and exploitation pathways for cyber scam operations in Cambodia. Thematic analysis identified four themes: Korean-targeted recruitment, multi-layered coercive control, exploitation of Korean nationals’ characteristics to target fellow Koreans, and exploitation of Korea’s financial system and scam industrialization. Korea’s socioeconomic conditions create structural vulnerability, while victims’ linguistic, cultural, and digital skills are exploited for cyber scams. Unlike traditional trafficking, this pathway uniquely involves induced voluntariness, skill-based exploitation, addiction-facilitated coercion, and victim-to-perpetrator transition, highlighting the need for country-specific prevention and response strategies.

ABSTRACT This article investigates the trafficking of women into the sex trade under the guise of employment opportunities in the showbiz industry in Pakistan. I argue that in the context of Pakistan, the rhetoric of ‘showbiz jobs’ is often used as a cover for women’s trafficking. I interviewed twenty rescued victims residing in Lahore to gain a deeper understanding of the trafficking process, the complex criminal networks, and the experiences of the survivors. Thematic content analysis of the data drawn from the in-depth interviews was conducted through the lens of critical feminist theory to examine how patriarchal power structures and economic vulnerability contribute to women′s exploitation within trafficking networks. There is limited evidence-based research documenting instances of such human exploitation, thereby demonstrating a significant need for survivor-centred emperical research. The project contributes to feminist scholarship by examining survivors′ voices and focusing on the legal and policy responses to human trafficking. It also highlights the role of international treaties and state-led anti-trafficking initiatives. The findings reveal that trafficking networks exploit women's aspirations for employment, economic security, and social mobility, thereby hindering accountability and impeding legal intervention. The study concludes that stronger institutional oversight could significantly strengthen the country′s response to human trafficking.

ABSTRACT Human trafficking remains a significant human rights and social justice concern that requires social work intervention strategies. Guided by the ecological systems framework, a qualitative research approach was adopted to gather insights from social services providers on what they consider components of a social work programme for women survivors of human trafficking (WSHT). Data was collected using interviews and analysed using a thematic analysis. The findings identified several components of a social work programme for WSHT. These include the provision of holistic and survivor-centred services, the establishment of specialised shelters tailored to the needs of trafficking survivors, skills development and empowerment initiatives aimed at promoting economic independence, and strengthened collaboration and networking among service providers. The results further highlight the importance of coordinated multi-sectoral responses. The study demonstrates that effective social work interventions must operate across multiple ecological levels, addressing survivors’ psycho-social and economic needs while strengthening institutional support systems.

Human trafficking is a violation of human rights and a global public health crisis with many victims sustaining acute and long-term injuries as well as mental health disorders. Victims face multifaceted barriers to recovery, including restricted health care access, intense fear of retribution, and the profound psychological manipulation exerted by traffickers. However, most victims will seek health care services at some point during their captivity making health care professionals pivotal as "frontline" responders. Despite this critical role, a significant gap exists in professional preparedness. Many health care professionals have not received adequate education or specialized training to detect the indicators or to navigate the complexities of intervention. To bridge this gap, developing robust, evidence-based education programs is essential for all health care professionals.This article explores the necessity of targeted human trafficking training, with a specific focus on simulation-based education. Simulation offers a high-fidelity, low-risk environment where health care professionals can practice clinical identification, communication strategies, and interdisciplinary coordination. By mimicking real-world clinical encounters, simulation-based training empowers professionals to address the vast and complex needs survivors effectively. Also discussed are various simulation-based training programs, highlighting their efficacy in improving clinician confidence and patient outcomes in regards to victims of human trafficking.

ABSTRACT Objective Substance use disorder (SUD) and substance misuse are commonly reported among survivors of human trafficking. This scoping review identifies current empirical research on substance use treatment, harm reduction, and recovery support services for survivors. Methods Reviewers searched Ovid-Medline All, Embase.com, CINAHL Plus, Scopus, and Web of Science and conducted forward and backward citation searching of studies that included child, adolescent, or adult sex or labor trafficking survivors, tested a specific intervention to promote substance use recovery, and reported substance use disorder or substance misuse-related outcomes. Two reviewers screened title/abstracts, screened full texts, and extracted data. Reviewers coded bibliographic information, participant characteristics, study design, intervention characteristics, and primary substance use-related outcomes. Data elements were narratively summarized. Results Six studies, published between 2010 and 2025, were included in this review. Two programs were based in specialty courts in the United States for trafficked youth, whereas the other four were multi-modal (housing, health services, basic needs) nonprofit hospital- or community-based programs in the US (n = 3) and Israel (n = 1). Substance use outcomes were defined through self-reported frequency of use (n = 3), case manager-rated measures (n = 2), and case records (n = 1). Conclusions and Implications Few research or evaluation studies were identified that assessed substance use-related outcomes for survivors in treatment programs. Standardized assessments of substance use, context of use, and related problems were not commonly used. Evaluation of evidence-based psychosocial interventions for SUD is warranted to identify potential adaptations that would support substance use recovery among survivors.

Experiences of human trafficking survivors when managed in an emergency department: A descriptive qualitative study.

Addressing human trafficking in health care settings: Simulation and interprofessional education strategies.

ABSTRACT Despite prevailing narratives that human trafficking is largely driven by transnational organized crime groups, little empirical research has rigorously tested this assumption. This study presents a novel 5-S typology of organized crime groups based on size, scope, sophistication, structure, and self-identification which yields five different types of organized crime groups: Mom & Pop, Crime Ring, Gang, Illicit Business, and Cartel/Mafia/Syndicate. Analyzing over 2,390 federally prosecuted human trafficking cases in the United States from 2000 to 2022, we systematically assess the nexus of organized crime and human trafficking. Findings reveal that the majority of cases (67%) involve unorganized individuals, and among those involving organized crime, most are small-scale Mom & Pop operations or decentralized Crime Rings rather than sophisticated Cartels or Syndicates. While this may be a function of potential selection bias inherent in using prosecuted cases as the basis for empirical analysis, the results challenge dominant framings of human trafficking and suggest the need to recalibrate enforcement strategies and policy assumptions. The study concludes by discussing critical implications for research, practice, and the future study of organized crime and human trafficking.

Human trafficking is a global problem in which victims are exploited for profit through forced labor, sexual exploitation, or forced marriage. Most human trafficking victims worldwide are women or girls. Women's health professionals, especially obstetrician-gynecologists, are uniquely positioned to identify and provide interventions for individuals who are trafficked when they present for routine gynecological care, pregnancy, sexual trauma, or sexually transmitted infection screening or treatment. Clinicians working in obstetrics and gynecology should have ready access to screening tools for human trafficking victims in the healthcare setting and have a high index of suspicion to recognize victims. Brief, trauma-informed screening should be incorporated into routine confidential visits, and clear referral pathways should be available for all patients. National laws protecting victims of human trafficking vary. Still, most nations are party to the United Nations Protocol on Human Trafficking, which provides special immigration support and legal protection for identified victims of human trafficking. Clinicians working in obstetrics and gynecology should familiarize themselves with their local laws to best support their patients, particularly mandatory reporting statutes.

Human trafficking is a form of transnational organized crime that has serious impacts on human rights and requires effective criminal accountability. The legal issue examined in this study focuses on the regulation of criminal liability for perpetrators and the mechanisms of law enforcement within the framework of international criminal law. This study aims to analyze the forms of criminal liability in human trafficking crimes and to examine the mechanisms for their implementation against organized criminal networks. The research employed a normative juridical method using statutory and conceptual approaches, supported by library research. The findings indicate that criminal liability applies not only to the principal perpetrators but also to all parties involved in the criminal network, including corporations. In addition, law enforcement requires international cooperation mechanisms such as extradition and mutual legal assistance, although practical challenges remain in terms of evidence collection and coordination among states.

ABSTRACTBackgroundVictims of human trafficking frequently present to emergency departments (EDs) while being exploited; however, many remain unrecognised by healthcare professionals. Creating spaces where survivors and healthcare professionals can engage provided a unique opportunity to generate a care pathway which increases the likelihood of implementation as the needs and expectations of the victim and healthcare professionals are considered.ObjectiveTo describe the process and outcome of experience‐based co‐design of a care pathway that enables healthcare professionals to recognise and respond to human trafficking victims in EDs.DesignExperience‐based co‐design.Setting and ParticipantsTwenty‐seven individuals participated in two co‐design events. The in‐person event included six registered nurses, one social worker, three trauma counsellors, one psychologist and four survivors. Twelve participants took part in a virtual event, comprising six medical doctors, two pre‐hospital medical personnel, one counsellor, one psychologist and two survivors.InterventionData from the co‐design events were analysed using a creative hermeneutic approach. Co‐designers generated the care pathway using data from a mapping review, interviews with victims of human trafficking and focus groups with healthcare professionals.ResultsThe in‐person group identified five themes, including education, safety, alertness, compassion, nurturing and action. The online event highlighted information sharing, special victim champion, safety and security, primary response and awareness. The themes were combined into three main themes, namely education and awareness, safety and security and human disposition, underpinned by compassion, non‐judgement, trustworthiness and trauma‐informed care.ConclusionsThe co‐designed care pathway prioritises education and awareness to help healthcare professionals recognise and respond to potential trafficking victims in EDs. The care process can be initiated using ‘Code Orange’, supporting coordinated, interprofessional and comprehensive interventions. Using a person‐centred, trauma‐informed approach, the care pathway emphasises safety, security and compassion for both victims and healthcare professionals.Patient or Public ContributionSurvivors and healthcare professionals co‐designed the care pathway.

Purpose With the increased use of global supply chains in order to secure necessary resources and lower costs, there is a growing concern regarding occurrences of human trafficking, specifically forced labor, in the supply chain. For this reason, supply chain visibility and transparency are crucial. The purpose of this study was to provide a starting point for considering how AI-powered technology can play a role in addressing forced labor in supply chains. Design/methodology/approach The researchers used artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance supply chain visibility. An AI-powered analytic tool called “Break Chain” was developed and tested. A mixed-methods action research approach was used where quantitative data analysis was integrated with qualitative action steps. This allowed for a more comprehensive understanding of the complex and multifaceted nature of supply chain dynamics. Findings In this study, “Break Chain” was used to evaluate 50 businesses from various industries across Northeast Texas. “Break Chain” provided a dashboard visualization that synthesized the flagged data into an interactive interface. This allowed stakeholders to efficiently navigate and interpret complex datasets. The “Break Chain” technology also allowed for predictive modeling to forecast potential trafficking activities within corporate supply chains. This study found that the model had a precision rate of 91% and a recall rate of 87%, which point to “Break Chain's” calibrated sensitivity and specificity. Originality/value “Break Chain” is an innovative example of how technology can be used to locate and predict instances of forced labor within supply chains.

IntroductionHuman trafficking is currently an international crime and one of the most urgent human rights issues. Understanding stakeholders' experiences is critical to developing a care pathway that improves recognition and response. Globally limited qualitative research exists on stakeholders’ experiences of human trafficking in the Emergency Department. This study aims to explore and describe the experiences of stakeholders in recognizing and responding to victims of human trafficking.MethodDescriptive qualitative study reported using COREQ. Three online focus groups (29–40 min) were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed following Braun and Clarke.ResultsThe research team identified six codes: care pathways and policies for guidance, interprofessional collaboration, healthcare professionals’ responses, screening and triage, training and education, and a trauma-informed approach. These codes were then synthesized into three main themes: the need for clear guidance, including policies and procedural frameworks; education, covering screening, triage, recognition of red flags, and awareness; and interprofessional and multisectoral collaboration with coordinated referrals.ConclusionContextually appropriate, standardized care pathways for identifying and managing human trafficking victims are recommended for South African and broader African healthcare settings. These should be co-designed with healthcare professionals and survivors and aligned with existing systems to promote integrated care. Ongoing training and strengthened multisectoral collaboration are essential to ensure trauma-informed, coordinated, and effective responses.

ABSTRACT This study examines how the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) employs TikTok to construct migration narratives within a platform-governed communication environment. Drawing on a content analysis of 541 TikTok videos published between January 2020 and March 2025, the study investigates how institutional visibility, migrant representation, and humanitarian legitimacy are shaped through platform-specific affordances. Findings demonstrate that IOM predominantly utilises TikTok as an informational tool, framing migration through themes such as forced displacement, climate-induced mobility, human trafficking, and legal protection, while foregrounding migrants as resilient, rights-bearing agents rather than passive victims. However, this empowerment-oriented framing is not uniformly applied, as visibility is selectively distributed with limited representation of older migrants, persons with disabilities, and non-English-speaking groups, and IOM speaks predominantly about rather than with migrant voices. The analysis reveals that IOM adapts its communicative form to algorithmic imperatives while preserving its informational mandate, yet this coexists with tensions around representation and linguistic inclusivity. TikTok thus emerges as an algorithmic humanitarian arena in which institutional legitimacy is negotiated through visibility metrics rather than participatory representation. The article contributes to debates on digital humanitarianism by theorising how platform logics transform institutional communication and reconfigure the power to shape public understandings of global mobility.

Little is known about best practices for forensic interviewing of adolescent victims of exploitation. The current study examined the types of questions asked in interviews with adolescent victims conducted by police interviewers or federal forensic interview specialists, as well as how adolescents responded. Forensic interviews were transcribed (N = 47, M age = 15.93, SD = 3.26, range = 12–19 at time of victimisation) and coded. Interviewer prompts were coded for question type. Adolescent responses were coded for response format (open, closed, elaborated, don’t know), length (word count), uncertainty, and reluctance. Results indicated that federal forensic interviewers tended to use more appropriate methods of questioning, including greater use of open-ended prompts, compared to police interviewers. Adolescents were more likely to elaborate and provide longer responses to federal forensic interviewers compared to police interviewers and were more likely to respond reluctantly to open-ended questions. Implications for forensic interviews with adolescents are discussed.