What is it about?
This study identifies trauma-informed models and strategies that are currently used in organizations that primarily serve human trafficking survivors. A trauma-informed approach recognizes the widespread impacts of trauma and implements policies and practices to avoid re-traumatization while supporting healing, safety, and empowerment for trauma survivors. Participants in this study work directly with survivors of human trafficking in Kentucky. Participants' stories emphasize the importance of education and training on trauma-informed trafficking-specific needs and services, wrap-around resources for survivors, a focus on survivor safety and building healthy relationships, and legislation to regulate standards of care.
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Why is it important?
Although it is well documented that survivors of human trafficking benefit from trauma-informed services, but there is little research identifying or evaluating the trauma-informed strategies used by trafficking-specific agencies to establish best practices. In this study, participants who work directly with human trafficking survivors share their experiences with successful trauma-informed strategies, begin to establish evidence-based best practices, and emphasize the need for legislation that will ensure quality standards of care for survivors.
Perspectives
While most anti-trafficking organizations are trauma-informed, few can point to a specific trauma-informed model or framework that is evidence-based and embedded into their organizational policies and practices. In this study, direct service providers who work primarily or exclusively with survivors of human trafficking share their experiences with successful trauma-informed strategies and the challenges and frustrations they encounter. Participants also emphasize the need for legislation that establishes and regulates standards of care for anti-trafficking organizations, regretting the harm that can be done to survivors by well-meaning organizations whose programming does not include or align with evidence-based practices.
Dr. Charity Yelton Pugh
Bellarmine University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Surviving to thriving: A qualitative exploration of direct service providers’ trauma-informed work with human trafficking survivors in Kentucky., Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy, January 2026, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/tra0002108.
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