Abstract

This honors thesis paper provides an overview of human trafficking in the United States and the states’ roles for addressing the problem. It starts off by describing the background behind human trafficking, including the typical victims, perpetrators, and the locations where victims are found. In order to better understand the context of state solutions, the next section describes the current federal government’s anti-human trafficking efforts as that is important to better understand state roles and responsibilities. This section includes the current enacted laws and legislatures, victim services, awareness programs, intelligence sharing and investigation agencies, and funding. The state section includes an overview of the same categories using Kentucky, California, and Florida as case studies. Finally, the paper concludes with recommendations to the state�level efforts, including interstate compacts, intelligence fusion center operations, education opportunities, state department of transportation awareness efforts, non�governmental organizations, and partnerships. Included in the appendices are four federal policy options to help address the issue, as well as the utilization of structured analytic techniques that helped to reach a conclusion of which policy option would be most successful upon implementation. It is the hope that this paper can spread awareness about the issues of human trafficking, resulting in compensation for victims, due justice iii for perpetrators, greater funding and more dedicated resources for anti-trafficking efforts, and eventually an end to the tragedy.

Semester/Year of Award

Fall 2024

Mentor

Chad S. Foster

Mentor Department Affiliation

Safety, Security, and Emergency Management

Access Options

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Honors Scholars

Degree Level

Bachelors

Department

Safety, Security, and Emergency Management

Presentation

https://mymaileku-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/g/personal/gabriella_weiss1_mymail_eku_edu/EbzckXRY9ltFjVtU9Y21QCQBvozYNhtC9EZQG06g2xRLPg?e=dOM4MC

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