scholarly journals Safe Harbor Legislation for Juvenile Victims of Sex Trafficking: A Myopic View of Improvements in Practice

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly Mehlman-Orozco
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Policy Implementation ◽  
Human Trafficking ◽  
Count Data ◽  
Sex Trafficking ◽  
State Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Focused Attention ◽  
Safe Harbor

Current social and political realties have focused attention on human trafficking in the United States. Although new mechanisms for criminalizing offenders and protecting victims are increasingly funded and implemented across the country, empirical exploration into the efficacy of these interventions is lacking. This article uses yearly count data on juvenile prostitution arrests aggregated at the state level to explore the criminalization of commercial sexually exploited children post safe harbor policy implementation. Preliminary data from four states suggests that the passage of safe harbor laws may not reduce the number of juveniles arrested for prostitution crimes. Implications for future research are discussed.

The Celebritization of Human Trafficking

2014 ◽  
Vol 653 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina Francesca Haynes
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Human Trafficking ◽  
Sex Trafficking ◽  
Public Policies ◽  
The United States ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Public ◽  
Dominant Discourse ◽  
The Media

Human trafficking, and especially sex trafficking, is not only susceptible to alluring and sensational narratives, it also plays into the celebrity-as-rescuer ideal that receives considerable attention from the media, the public, and policy-makers. While some celebrities develop enough expertise to speak with authority on the topic, many others are neither knowledgeable nor accurate in their efforts to champion antitrafficking causes. Prominent policy-makers allow celebrity activists to influence their opinions and even consult with them for advice regarding public policies. Emblematic of larger, fundamental problems with the dominant discourse, funding allocations, and legislation in current antitrafficking initiatives in the United States and elsewhere, celebrity activism is not significantly advancing the eradication of human trafficking and may even be doing harm by diverting attention from aspects of the problem and solution that sorely require attention.

Human Trafficking in Florida: The Role of Applied Anthropology in Addressing the Problem and Response

2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 24-28
Author(s):  
Karen Dyer ◽  
Nathaniel Dickey ◽  
Sarah Smith ◽  
Hannah Helmy
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Human Trafficking ◽  
Sex Trafficking ◽  
The United States ◽  
Applied Anthropology ◽  
United States Congress ◽  
Trafficking In Persons ◽  
Labor Trafficking ◽  
Exact Data

Human trafficking is a pervasive issue in the United States (Florida State 2003:16). While an estimated 18,000-20,000 persons are trafficked across the nation's borders each year, this may be a dramatic underestimation of actual occurrence due to the hidden nature of human trafficking crimes and the fact that this number does not include domestic trafficking incidents (Florida State 2003:16). Federal anti-trafficking legislation defines "trafficking in persons" to mean those compelled into commercial sex acts (sex trafficking) or labor and services (labor trafficking) through force, fraud or coercion (United States Congress 2000). Although exact data regarding the incidence of human trafficking in Florida are currently unavailable, it is considered a lucrative trafficking hub—often being cited as one of the top three states in which the crime occurs. This is principally because of its agriculture- and tourism-based economy, two industries in which trafficking can thrive with relatively little resistance (Florida State 2003:27). Indeed, Miami International Airport has ranked among the "top points of entry for trafficking" since as early as 1999 (Florida State 2003:28). The lack of comprehensive data also precludes a clear picture of the demographics and nationalities of all trafficked persons in Florida, but figures from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops provide a snapshot of certified victims of trafficking who are receiving federal benefits. In a four-year period ending August 2010, 274 trafficked persons received federal benefits; of these individuals, 127 were female, 147 were male, and the top five nationalities were those from Haiti (81), the Phillipines (65), Mexico (42), Guatemala (13), and Honduras (12) (Florida State 2010:39-40).

Population Data for Students with Visual Impairments in the United States

2021 ◽  
pp. 0145482X2110161
Author(s):  
Rachel Anne Schles
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Count Data ◽  
Total Population ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
State Level ◽  
Population Data ◽  
The United States ◽  
School Year ◽  
Primary Disability ◽  
Population Counts

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine how many young children and students (birth to 22 years old) were identified with visual impairments and receiving special education services in the United States. Professionals estimate at least 50% of students with visual impairments have additional disabilities and are not identified as having a visual impairments for the purposes of the federal Child Count census; therefore, the differences between Child Count and states’ total population counts were explored. Methods: A mixed-methods survey was sent to each U.S. state to determine the total population of students with visual impairments (birth to 22 years old) during the 2016–2017 school year. Results: The 49 responding states reported an average total population four times greater than the number of students with visual impairments than were documented in Child Count data. Many states had limited or no data on their total population of students with visual impairments. Discussion: The findings demonstrate many states are making policy and administrative decisions based on Child Count data not their total population data of students with visual impairments (e.g., planning for 100 students with a primary disability of visual impairments rather than a total population of 405 students with visual impairments). Misuse of Child Count data contributes to underfunding and under-hiring of teachers of students with visual impairments and orientation and mobility instructors. How to address these issues at a systemic level so all students with visual impairments receive appropriate access to resources and quality instruction is also discussed. Implications for practitioners: Practitioners can use available population data across states to educate decision makers at local and state levels regarding the differences between Child Count and total population data for students with visual impairments. Statewide vision programs can also circumvent limited data collection programs at the state level by developing their own systems for total population counts of students with visual impairments.

scholarly journals The Prevalence of Sex Trafficking of Children and Adolescents in the United States: A Scoping Review

2020 ◽  
pp. 152483802093387
Author(s):  
Hannabeth Franchino-Olsen ◽  
Brittney R. Chesworth ◽  
Colleen Boyle ◽  
Cynthia Fraga Rizo ◽  
Sandra L. Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Sex Trafficking ◽  
Census Data ◽  
The United States ◽  
Expert Advice ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Representative Sampling ◽  
Prevalence Proportion

Topic: This scoping review investigated research regarding the magnitude of minor sex trafficking (domestic minor sex trafficking and/or commercial sexual exploitation of children) in the United States, summarizing estimates, methodologies, and strengths and weaknesses of the studies. Method: Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, peer-reviewed articles and the gray literature were accessed via databases searches, reference harvesting, and expert advice. Articles were included if they provided a count or prevalence proportion estimate of trafficked or at-risk minors across or within a region of the United States. Six empirical studies, published from 1999 to 2017, were included in the review. Results: Included studies produced count estimates ( n = 3) or prevalence proportion estimates ( n = 3) for youth at risk of minor sex trafficking ( n = 2) or reporting victimization ( n = 5). Studies examined sex trafficking risk and victimization in different geographical areas, including across the United States ( n = 2), in New York City ( n = 1), and in Ohio ( n = 1). Further, several studies focused on particular populations, such as street and shelter youths ( n = 1) and adjudicated males ( n = 1). Sampling methodologies of reviewed estimates included traditional random sampling ( n = 1), nationally representative sampling ( n = 2), convenience sampling ( n = 1), respondent-driven sampling ( n = 1), purposive sampling ( n = 1), and use of census data ( n = 2). Conclusion: Little research has estimated the prevalence of minor sex trafficking in the United States. The existing studies examine different areas and populations and use different categories to estimate the problem. The estimates reviewed here should be cited cautiously. Future research is needed on this important topic, including methodologies to produce more representative estimates of this hard-to-reach population.

A Longitudinal, Multilevel Analysis of Homicide Against Children Aged 0–9 Years Using State-Level Characteristics: 1979–2007

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 757-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Douglas ◽  
Jennifer Vanderminden
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
State Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Homicide Rate ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Homicide Rates ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Longitudinal Growth Modeling ◽  
Over Time

Annually, over a thousand children are the victims of homicide in the United States Homicide among younger children, 0–9 years of age, is usually perpetrated by parents and caregivers. Researchers neither have tracked changes in the homicide rate among young children over time nor have they used theory to understand what factors may drive these changes. In this analysis of state-level data, we used longitudinal growth modeling and ecological theory to examine changes in homicide rate against children aged 0–9 years from 1979 to 2007. Our results indicate that states are relatively consistent, over time, in their homicide rates. Furthermore, a cultural context of criminal and risky behavior is positively associated with homicide against children. We discuss implications for future research and prevention.

The Association of Federal and State-level Firearm Restriction Policies With Intimate Partner Homicide: A Re-analysis by Race of the Victim

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052110219
Author(s):  
Mikaela A. Wallin ◽  
Charvonne N. Holliday ◽  
April M. Zeoli
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
State Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Intimate Partner Homicide ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Black Populations ◽  
The Impact

Firearms present a significant risk of intimate partner homicide (IPH) among women in the United States, and Black women continue to be overrepresented among IPH fatalities. State-level firearm restrictions for individuals under domestic violence restraining orders (DVRO) and firearm restrictions for those convicted of violent misdemeanor crimes are associated with reductions in IPH. To receive these protections, individuals must engage with the civil or criminal justice system. While access to, and engagement with, these systems may differ between Black and White populations, research has yet to examine the impact of these firearm restriction laws on IPH by racial group. We conducted pooled, cross-sectional, time-series analyses to examine the association of selected firearm restriction laws on IPH by the race of the victims, from 1981 to 2013 for 45 states in the United States. State-level DVRO firearm restrictions were associated with reductions in IPH in the White population only. The inclusion of relinquishment provisions in state DVRO firearm laws is associated with an 11% reduction in IPH and a 16% reduction in firearm IPH for White, but not Black, victims. Similarly, laws prohibiting individuals convicted of violent misdemeanors from possessing firearms are associated with a 23% reduction in IPH and a 28% reduction in firearm IPH for White victims only. The federal DVRO firearm restriction law is associated with a 27% reduction in state-level IPH and a 28% reduction in firearm IPH for Black, but not White, victims. Firearm restriction laws may have a limited impact on IPH in Black populations. Future research should examine the factors behind the differential estimated impact of these laws by the race of the victims.

scholarly journals Mask mandate and use efficacy in state-level COVID-19 containment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damian Guerra ◽  
Daniel J Guerra
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
State Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Transmission Rates ◽  
High Transmission ◽  
Lower Case ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Lower Infection

Background: Containment of the COVID-19 pandemic requires evidence-based strategies to reduce transmission. Because COVID-19 can spread via respired droplets, many states have mandated mask use in public settings. Randomized control trials have not clearly demonstrated mask efficacy against respiratory viruses, but observational studies suggest greater mask compliance may be associated with lower infection rates. We hypothesized that statewide mask mandates and mask use are associated with lower COVID-19 case growth rates in the United States. Methods: We calculated total COVID-19 case growth and mask use for the continental United States with data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. We estimated post-mask mandate case growth in non-mandate states using median issuance dates of neighboring states with mandates. Results: Case growth was not significantly different between mandate and non-mandate states at low or high transmission rates, and surges were equivocal. Mask use predicted lower case growth at low, but not high transmission rates. Growth rates were comparable between states in the top and bottom mask use quintiles adjusted for normalized total cases early in the pandemic and unadjusted after peak Fall-Winter infections. Mask use did not predict Summer 2020 case growth for non-Northeast states or Fall-Winter 2020 growth for all states. Conclusions: Mask mandates and use are not associated with slower state-level COVID-19 spread during COVID-19 growth surges. COVID-19 containment requires future research and implementation of existing efficacious strategies.

scholarly journals “Exploitation Creep” and Development: A Response to Janie Chuang

AJIL Unbound ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 108 ◽  
pp. 268-271
Author(s):  
Aziza Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Labor Market ◽  
Human Trafficking ◽  
Sex Trafficking ◽  
The United States ◽  
Forced Labor ◽  
United States Government ◽  
Labor Rights ◽  
States Government ◽  
Modern Day Slavery

In her article Exploitation Creep and the Unmaking of Human Trafficking Law, Janie Chuang insightfully describes transformations in the discourse on trafficking as it shifted from sex trafficking to human trafficking, and as human trafficking came to be understood as forced labor, and now modern day slavery. With each of these transformations, the United States government, self-anointed “global sheriff” of anti-trafficking efforts, deepened its emphasis on a prosecution-oriented strategy focused on individual perpetrator accountability. As an alternative trajectory, Chuang identifies and convincingly argues for a labor-rights approach that takes into consideration the structural causes of exploitation in the labor market, including poverty, unemployment, discrimination, and conflict.

scholarly journals Analyzing the Demand Aspect of Sex Trafficking: Addressing the Market through Legislation and Tactics

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-187
Author(s):  
Jessica A. Brautigam ◽  
James B. Caruthers ◽  
Ashley D. Knarr ◽  
Todd J. Latiolais ◽  
Alice Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Human Trafficking ◽  
Sex Trafficking ◽  
The United States ◽  
United States Government ◽  
Reduction Techniques ◽  
Demand Reduction ◽  
States Government ◽  
Human Rights Violation

Human trafficking is a serious human rights violation. To combat human trafficking, the United States government and the State of Texas are shifting policies towards addressing the demand for commercial sex in an attempt to disrupt the trafficking “market.” In order to better understand the sex trafficking market, we examine its components, specifically: suppliers, the supply of victims, and purchasers of victims. This article also provides an overview of federal and Texas anti-trafficking laws and how these laws address demand within their texts. Finally, the article provides an overview of some common demand reduction techniques.

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