The subject of human trafficking, or the use of force, fraud or coercion to transport persons across international borders or within countries to exploit them for labor or sex, has received renewed attention within the last two decades. In the United States, human trafficking became a focus of activities in the late 1990s and culminated in the passage of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) signed into law on October 16, 2000. With the enactment of the TVPA, the United States took a lead in combating human trafficking, prosecuting traffickers, and protecting victims. In this course students will assess the different legal frameworks used to combat human trafficking around the world and analyze the different discourses used to discuss the trafficking phenomena. Students will also explore the characteristics and special needs of victims (adult and child victims, girls and boys, women and men), their life experiences, and their trafficking trajectories; discuss the modus operandi of traffickers and their networks; debate the effectiveness of governmental anti-trafficking policies and the efficacy of rescue and restore programs; and identify research gaps. The course places special emphasis on evidence-based research and strategies.

At the completion of the course, a successful student will be able to:

• Assess legal frameworks used to combat human trafficking around the world.
• Analyze the different discourses used to discuss the trafficking phenomena.
• Analyze the characteristics and special needs of victims.
• Discuss the modus operandi of traffickers and their networks.
• Debate the effectiveness of governmental anti-trafficking policies and the efficacy of rescue and restore programs.
• Identify research gaps.