National Survivor Study Findings and Resources

The National Survivor Study (NSS) aims to put survivor experience and expertise squarely at the center of our work building evidence-based strategies in the fight against human trafficking. The NSS is envisioned as both a model of survivor empowerment and a tool for evidenced-based strategies and approaches to anti-trafficking work. The NSS aims to inform the anti-trafficking movement more broadly by filling key evidence gaps that exist in the field in full partnership with survivors. 

 

NSS Final Report

Focused Issue Briefs

Challenging Child Custody: Trafficking Survivors and Their Children

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Debt Trap: Survivor Debt After Human Trafficking

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Homelessness: A Cause and Consequence of Human Trafficking

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Left Out: How Human Trafficking Survivors are Excluded from Financial Systems

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Poverty After Human Trafficking: Survivor Income and Employment

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Punishing the Victim: Recovery Barriers for Survivors with Criminal Records

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Robbed: Financial Abuse of Human Trafficking Survivors

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Unprotected Workers: Workplace Conditions and Experiences of Labor Trafficking Survivors

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Findings from Survivor Discussions

Meaningful Engagement in Research

Preliminary findings from formative group and individual discussions about how survivors would want to be involved in research.

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Service Access Challenges for Survivors

Preliminary findings from formative group and individual discussions on the types of challenges that survivors encounter in trying to access services.

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Immigration Challenges for Survivors 

Preliminary findings from formative group and individual discussions on the challenges that survivors encounter as a result of  their immigration status.

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Policy Priorities

Preliminary findings from formative group and individual discussions on the topics that are policy priorities for survivors.

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Criminalization of Survivors

Preliminary findings from formative group and individual discussions on survivors’ experiences and needs concerning criminalization related to their trafficking victimization. 

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Child-Related Challenges Survivors Face

Preliminary findings from formative group and individual discussions on challenges survivors face related to custody of children, involvement of family courts and child welfare system, and access to childcare.

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Developing the National Survivor Study

Engaging Anti-Trafficking Partners in the Development of the NSS

We utilized a consensus building method (Delphi technique) to determine the focus of the study through multiple rounds of surveys with anti-trafficking stakeholders including survivor leaders.

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Milestones on a Learning Journey

Reflections and lessons learned from the NSS project team on trying to implement a community engaged, survivor centered study.

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Instrument Report

The NSS survey instrument with information on how it was developed is provided to allow partners to adapt it for their context.

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Condensed Research Protocol

An overview of the background, design, and plan of the NSS, approved by an institutional review board (IRB) charged with ensuring the protection of human subjects in research.

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Study Guiding Values

The NSS  team developed a set of principles that served as the foundation for all our work..

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Data for Action

We outline our vision for how the NSS data will be used to catalyze change led by the community.

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Need help? Polaris operates the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline.