Assessing the Needs of Human Trafficking Awareness, Services, and Barriers to Access in Central Ohio Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Social Work in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Trisha N. Smouse, B.A. Graduate Program in Social Work The Ohio State University 2010 Thesis Examination Committee: Assistant Professor, Dr. Joseph Guada, Adviser Assistant Professor, Dr. Sharvari Karandikar-Chheda Copyright Trisha Smouse 2010 i Abstract Human trafficking, a form of modern day slavery, is alive, well and thriving around the world. In fact, human trafficking is the fastest growing international criminal industry and it is happening in the Central Ohio community. There has been no research regarding the level of human trafficking awareness among service providers in Central Ohio, nor the existence of services for victims of human trafficking in the area. Thus, an exploratory study was conducted to identify Central Ohio’s current levels of awareness and capacity to serve trafficked persons. This paper will discuss the definition, nature, and scope of human trafficking around the world, in Ohio, and in Central Ohio. Data collection consisted of a survey comprised of both of open and closed-ended questions. The survey was comprised of several sections: agency demographics, human trafficking awareness, services to trafficked persons, barriers to service provision and access, and collaborative efforts. These were examined in an effort to identify education and service gaps in order to increase awareness, service capacity, and effectiveness to victims of human trafficking. Survey design is consistent with an existing IRB approved survey and the scrutiny of The Ohio Attorney General’s Trafficking In Person’s Study Commission (TIPSC) and the Central Ohio Rescue and Restore Coalition (CORRC). The survey was intended to answer the study’s research questions: (1) What is the level of human trafficking awareness amongst service ii providers in the Central Ohio area; (2) What services currently exist for trafficked victims; (3) According to service providers, what are the barriers to providing services to trafficking victims; and (4) What assistance or support do service providers need to effectively serve trafficking victims? The sample size was 90, which included agencies that offer the services needed by victims of human trafficking. Sampling strategies used in the study included: availability, snowballing, and purposive sampling. A broad spectrum of potential agency representatives from organizations offering a variety of services was represented in the sampling frame. Overall the study found that while the majority (62%) of service providers is aware that human trafficking is a problem in Central Ohio, there is a need for training regarding identification, needs of trafficking persons, and response protocols. Furthermore, the TIPSC, Research and Analysis Sub-Committee estimated 1,861 foreign born persons and domestic youth were trafficked over the course of a year in Ohio. Nonetheless, only 111 identified human trafficking cases are being served by service providers statewide. Similar findings were identified for Central Ohio. Likewise, despite the prevalence of human trafficking in Central Ohio, services for victims are greatly lacking. Especially interesting is that of 45 agency representatives, only 22% of organizations have knowingly encountered trafficked persons and only 18% are currently providing services to victims of human trafficking. The study further discovered that there is only one service provider targeting services to minor victims of human trafficking as opposed to iii four agencies targeting adult victims in Central Ohio. Since so few anti-trafficking specific agencies exist in Central Ohio, barriers to service for both the provider and client were examined. In addition, the study found that there are many obstacles for both service providers and trafficked persons in Central Ohio. Interestingly, aside from the lack of funding and resources; barriers for both service providers and clients centered on knowledge attainment. Trafficked persons often present complex and challenging needs, thus the need for services may arise with short notice. Given the vast array of needs presented by victims of human trafficking in Central Ohio, collaborative efforts are necessary to adequately provide immediate and effective needed services. This needs assessment only begins to systematically explore levels of human trafficking awareness, service availability, and barriers of service provision in Central Ohio for trafficked persons. Through this needs assessment, gaps have been identified concerning current human trafficking awareness and services and recommendations have been made for Central Ohio. iv Acknowledgements This project would not have been possible without the support of many individuals. I would like to thank my advisor, Dr. Joseph Guada, for believing in my work and my abilities, as well as the other member of my committee: Dr. Sharvari Karandikar-Chheda for her continued support and knowledge of the issue. This gratitude is also extended to Dr. Tom Gregoire for cheering me on each step of the way. I would also like to thank my supervisor, Michelle Hannan, for having confidence in me and encouraging me to pursue the thesis option; it truly has been a rewarding experience. A special thanks to The Salvation Army Social Service staff for their support and faith in my abilities. Thanks to my fellow abolitionists for their passion. Moreover, I would like to express deep gratitude to my dear friends Marla Yoder and Amanda Hershberger for motivating me to finish the project by spending late nights with me in the library and encouraging me to ‘just type until it is done’. Big thanks to my family for their prayer and support. Lastly, I would like to thank my mom, whose unconditional love and support inspired me to use my gifts of compassion, mercy, and sensitivity to help others in need. v Vita June 13, 1979 ..............................................Born Columbus, Ohio June 1997 ....................................................High School Diploma, Mechanicsburg High School March 1998 .................................................REACH, Jerusalem, Israel June 2004 ....................................................A.S., Business Management, Columbus State Community College July 2005 ....................................................Dresden, Germany Study Abroad June 2006 ....................................................B.A., International Studies, The Ohio State University August 2006 ................................................Missionary Internship, Thailand December 2008 ...........................................Central Ohio Rescue and Restore Coalition January 2009 ...............................................Social Work Internship, The Salvation Army of Central Ohio August 2009 ................................................Krakow, Poland Study Abroad October 2009 ..............................................Anti-Human Trafficking Program Manager, The Salvation Army of Central Ohio October 2009 ..............................................Ohio Attorney General’s Trafficking in Persons Study Commission vi Fields of Study Major Field: Social Work vii Table of Contents Abstract ..........................................................................................................................ii Acknowledgements......................................................................................................... v Vita................................................................................................................................ vi List of Tables.................................................................................................................. x List of Figures................................................................................................................ xi Chapter 1: Problem Statement......................................................................................... 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 1 Statement of the Problem ............................................................................................ 3 Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................... 5 Research Questions ..................................................................................................... 6 Significance for Social Work....................................................................................... 6 Limitations of the Study.............................................................................................. 7 Chapter 2: Literature Review .......................................................................................... 9 Human Trafficking Defined ........................................................................................ 9 Human Trafficking Legislation ................................................................................... 9 International Scope of Human Trafficking................................................................. 10 Understanding Human Trafficking in Ohio ............................................................... 12 Prevalence of Human Trafficking in Ohio ................................................................. 17 Human Trafficking