WED-113 - Anti-trafficking Curricula for Young People, Parents, and Professionals in the United States: A Scoping Review

Brief Abstract Summary: Discover critical gaps in human trafficking prevention education in the United States, especially during program planning and implementation. Identify priority populations and settings, including their key characteristics, in human trafficking prevention programs, and outline the most and least referenced topics within these programs. Gain knowledge of evidence-informed approaches and their importance in developing human trafficking prevention curricula, while also recognizing the vital role of survivor- and trauma-informed trafficking prevention initiatives.

Detailed abstract description: Human trafficking (HT) is a global threat exploiting vulnerable populations across industries. Education is key to prevention, yet few comprehensive curricula exist for professionals—and even fewer for youth and parents. To fill this gap, practitioners need evidence- and survivor-informed content delivered via trauma-informed methods. Thus, we are conducting a scoping review (SR) of HT prevention programs in the U.S. for youth, parents, and professionals to assess whether they are evidence-informed (incorporating research, expertise, or local knowledge when deciding which topics to include), survivor-informed (involving survivors in selecting program content during development), and trauma-informed (considering how trauma impacts participants’ learning and behavior during implementation).

Using the JBI methodology, we included 15 HT prevention programs that focused on labor/sex trafficking and other topics pertinent to HT. We excluded studies that were not focused on HT prevention, were published in a language other than English, or were conducted outside the U.S. We charted data to gather information on participants, topics and settings, and evidence-, survivor-, and trauma-informed program details.

Preliminary findings reveal that all studies prioritized professionals, with 87% in healthcare, 7% in school health, and 7% in transportation. Only four (27%) included youth (ages 18-25). Alarmingly, none prioritized parents. For setting, most were conducted at healthcare institutions (60%), followed by colleges/universities (27%), k-12 school districts (7%), and transit agencies (7%). Most programs taught red flags (100%), identification/reporting steps (87%), and trafficking definitions, scope, and types (80%). The least common topics taught were implicit bias (7%), survivors’ personal narratives (13%), and trafficking myths, misconceptions, and stereotypes (27%). Nearly all studies (93%) used evidence-informed methods—expert consultations, adapting evidence-based programs, literature reviews, program user input, assessment tools, national guidelines, and local data—to shape curricular content. Only four (27%) consulted with survivors to select topics for HT prevention education. Four programs (27%) were trauma-informed, featuring expert-led discussions, trigger warnings, mental health support, self-care prompts, and trauma-informed language.

Our findings reveal that HT prevention programs in the U.S. overwhelmingly prioritize healthcare professionals, while youth remain underrepresented and parents entirely excluded despite their vital role in prevention. Content often emphasized red flags, reporting, and definitions, but rarely addressed bias, myths, and survivor narratives. Although most use evidence-informed methods, few integrate survivor input or trauma-informed practices. These critical gaps highlight the urgent need to expand HT program prevention to youth and parents, broaden content, and ensure survivor- and trauma-informed approaches.