Abstract
Human trafficking is a serious problem in the United States and worldwide. Over the
past five years, human trafficking cases have been reported in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Many survivors and their families experience trauma over their
lives and across generations as a result of this form of violence. For the past 20+ years
in the human trafcking service provider community, U.S.-based organizations have
been creating trauma-informed policies and practices to establish safe and empowering
environments for survivors seeking services. There are also countless examples, both
historical and contemporary, of survivor-led resistance and resilience in the face of
trauma. We recognize that the day-to-day pressing needs of survivors are constant and
paramount, and that developing more efficient and effective service-delivery techniques
can reduce additional harm and improve lives. This report recognizes and highlights
trauma-informed practices from 157 service providers, puts them in context of relevant
literature in the field, and identifies areas in which organizations and the feld as a whole
can improve.