Page 2 - ODJFS Human Trafficking Response Summary 2018-2019

Among the topics selected for each 90 minute session were:
The Colorado Project: Lessons Learned from the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking’s 5-Year Study - 4/30/19
Presenter - Kara Napolitano holds a Master’s of Arts degree in International Development with concentrations in International Human Rights Law and Refugee Protection from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. Before completing her education she spent eight years working and volunteering in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, working mostly with education based NGOs in post-conflict areas. It was during this time that she was introduced to the crime of human trafficking. She has worked for Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking for four years in several roles, currently as Research and Training Manager.
Content Summary - In 2010, Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking (LCHT), began a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) process to comprehensively end human trafficking in the state of Colorado. In 2018, LCHT replicated the original methodology by conducting a longitudinal follow-up of the first iteration of The Colorado Project. The research described is intended to determine ways to measure a social movement’s effort to effect positive social change seeking to end human exploitation. The aim of The Colorado Project is to overcome the boundedness of knowledge occurring in pockets across the state both geographically and professionally.
This presentation explores how a nonprofit organization deeply embedded in the anti- human trafficking movement can produce original research utilizing community-based, participatory action techniques. CBPR allows space for locally-led and informed research endeavors--what the community needs as opposed to academics that may utilize conceptions of the movement without understanding community interests and strengths.
The findings identified seven emerging promising practices: 1) Supporting the movement in developing evaluation; 2) Acknowledging root causes; 3) Providing trauma-informed behavioral health resources; 4) Recognizing health professionals as crucial players in protection; 5) Having survivors inform the community response; 6) Problem-solving courts; and 7) Increased intentional and equitable inclusion in partnerships.
LCHT will discuss the Action Plan, developed by a diverse group of survivors, practitioners, law enforcement, and advocates as well as key takeaways on how Colorado has moved the needle on anti-trafficking efforts. LCHT hopes that this model will be replicated to determine local community strengths and gaps in ending human exploitation.