Survivors of sex trafficking are usually treated as criminals rather than victims. But some courts have begun to recognize that those arrested on prostitution charges are often victims of coercion, violence, and trauma. Our video, From Defendant to Survivor, profiles the innovative approaches being taken by courts in Los Angeles, New York City, and Columbus, Ohio.
In this podcast, which was produced as part of Project SAFE, Afua Addo is joined by Farah Tanis, co-founder and executive director of Black Women’s Blueprint. Tanis discusses the creation of the Blueprint and highlights its work organizing with black women on issues that impact their daily lives. She points to the high rate of domestic violence and sexual assault and exploitation confronting black women and the importance of continued advocacy for criminalized and incarcerated black women.
Columbia University's Bruce Western, a leading expert on the connection between mass incarceration and poverty, discusses his new book, Homeward: Life in the Year After Prison, and outlines his vision for a justice system rebuilt to respond to the deep deprivation and trauma fueling much of the behaviour that leads to imprisonment.
In this podcast, which was produced as part of Project SAFE, Afua Addo speaks with the Rev. Dr. Cheryl F. Dudley, the regional executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of Metropolitan New York.
Based on more than 300 in-depth interviews with adults involved in New York City’s multifaceted sex trade, this study describes a murky and mutable continuum between involvement in the trade due to force and choice. It also examines a unique criminal justice response: New York City's Human Trafficking Intervention Courts, developed to mitigate some of the harm trafficking victims experience in the criminal justice system.
The webinar addresses the specific needs of justice-involved black women and outlines a series of best practices for people working with these populations. It also highlights the work of the Queens Human Trafficking Intervention Court in New York City and its Hidden Victims Project that works to identify victims of human trafficking and link them to services.
Research on justice system responses has shown the ineffectiveness of a one-size-fits-all approach to the specific needs of justice-involved black women. This webinar outlines a series of best practices for people working with these populations. It also highlights the work of the Queens Human Trafficking Intervention Court in New York City and its Hidden Victims Project that works to identify victims of human trafficking and connect them to services.
On our 'New Thinking' podcast, Afua Addo, our coordinator of Gender and Justice Initiatives, explains our project aiding justice-involved black women who are survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault.
In this New Thinking podcast, Ann Johnson, an assistant district attorney and the human trafficking section chief with the Harris County District Attorney's Office, discusses her office's strategies for combating human trafficking, including increased enforcement against traffickers and buyers, and diversion from prosecution for victims. One of the office's diversion program, SAFE Court, gives those ages 17 to 25 who are charged with prostitution the opportunity to clear the charge from their criminal records by completing a yearlong program of monitoring and social services.
This article outlines lessons from the Human Trafficking and the State Courts Collaborative relevant to all justice system stakeholders. It offers concrete recommendations for multidisciplinary partnerships on how to cultivate and sustain collaboration.
