Just Economic Empowerment After Human Trafficking

In episode two of our Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project mini season, Just Science sat down with Samantha Charm, Christina Melander, Lauren Vollinger, and Brianna D’Arcangelo, research public health analysts at RTI International, to discuss a project which focuses on economic empowerment for those who have experienced human trafficking as part of the larger Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project. For those who have experienced human trafficking, economic or financial consequences are often inextricably linked to their trafficking experience and may leave those people without the skills, resources, or social capital to meet their needs in the community. As part of the Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project, researchers are developing a guide to help service providers understand fundamentals and important considerations of implementing economic empowerment programs for people who have experienced human trafficking, including programming related to financial education, financial abuse, and supporting employment. Listen along as Samantha, Christina, Lauren and Brianna describe promising practices related to economic empowerment programming for people who have experienced human trafficking, the experience of incorporating trauma-informed practices in human trafficking research, and recommendations for other researchers interested in this work. This episode is funded by the Human Trafficking Policy and Research Analyses Project (Project Contract Number: HHSP233201500039I). Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses or may not be appropriate for younger audiences.