Human trafficking is a global human rights violation with devastating consequences for individuals, families and communities. Yet preventing trafficking and supporting survivors requires far more than law enforcement alone. It demands early-prevention, collaboration and survivor leadership.
In this episode, we explore how research can drive stronger responses to trafficking in persons, from shaping regional policy to informing community-based programmes. We discuss why a trauma-informed approach is essential for both researchers and practitioners, how survivors can become leaders in research and prevention efforts, and why evidence must be translated into action if we are to strengthen prevention and support systems.
Your host is: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI)
This episode’s guests are:
Sylvia Namakula, Country Director, Healing and Resilience After Trauma (HaRT)
Norma Peña, Sector Lead Specialist at the Citizen Security Division, Inter-American Development Bank
🎧 Listen to learn:
➡︎ How human trafficking is not only a human rights issue, but also a development and security one ➡︎ The importance of trauma-informed approaches, both for researchers and survivors
➡︎ How survivor-led research and programming can strengthen prevention and support
➡︎ Following a trauma-informed approach is not just a question of ethics ➡︎ Why effective responses require much more than law enforcement alone
➡︎ What is still needed to improve prevention, identification and support for survivors
🌍Sign up for the SVRI Forum 2026 here!
⚡Follow SVRI on Instagram.
🌐Check out the SVRI website.
🎥 Watch our film on YouTube.
💬 Connect with the SVRI svri@svri.org and our host, Elizabeth Dartnall
🎙️ An OG Podcasts Ltd production
Resources:
Five Facts you Need to Know about Forced Labor and Human Trafficking
Regional Action Guidelines for a Coordinated Response to Trafficking in Persons from the Security and Justice Sector, developed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Researching with HaRT: Promoting Researcher Wellbeing Through Self and Collective Care
HaRT website
Case Study on Research with HaRT here
Standford Human Trafficking Data Lab and Professor Grahan Miller’s research: https://htdatalab.stanford.edu/
IPA Human Trafficking Research Initiative: https://poverty-action.org/research-and-learning-agenda-human-trafficking-research-initiative
Professor Cathy Zimmerman’s research: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Cathy-Zimmerman