A Screening Tool for Identifying Trafficking Victims

• NCJ Number: 250311
• Date Published: September 2016
• Length: 2 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2011-MU-MU-0066
• Corporate Author: National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
• Publication Format: Article; Document; Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Report (Summary)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: This article is based on the grant report Improving Human Trafficking Victim Identification-Validation and Dissemination of a Screening Tool (NCJ 246712) by Laura Simich, Lucia Goyen, Andrew Powell, and Karen Mallozzi. To download the screening tool and guidelines for its use, access Screening for Human Trafficking: Guidelines for Administering the Trafficking Victim Identification Tool (TVIT) (NCJ 246713).

Annotation

This article presents information from an NIJ funded study on the challenges faced by service providers and law enforcement officers in identifying human trafficking victims, and a screening tool developed for use by front-line practitioners.

Abstract

Identifying human trafficking victims is a challenge for service providers and law enforcement officers. A screening tool that reliably identifies victims could be an enormous help to law enforcement agencies and organizations involved in victim services. This NIJ funded study sought to answer several questions about a screening tool developed for use by front-line practitioners: 1) Does the tool accurately and reliably identify trafficking victims?; 2) Under which conditions is it most effective?; and 3) What is the best way to share this tool and promote its use among law enforcement? Working with 11 victims services agencies from around the country to develop and test a comprehensive screening tool that would make identification easier, it was determined that this tool can reliably identify victims and can aid victim service agencies not only in helping victims get the services they need but can potentially improve case investigations and prosecutions.