Laypeople’s Knowledge and Misconceptions of Sex Trafficking Influenced by Training Formats

Author: Miller, Quincy; Todorovic, Kristina; Perez, Christina; Capparelli, Amy & London, Kamala

Abstract: Despite the global epidemic of sex trafficking, laypeople and professionals possess little knowledge about trafficking. Lack of awareness engenders failed victim identification, victim-blaming attitudes, re-victimization, and dissipated justice system resources. To address this paucity of awareness, the current research evaluated the efficacy of brief online sex trafficking trainings. Participants were 268 adults recruited nationwide in the United States. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three sex trafficking trainings (facts-only, stories-only, combination). Participants completed pre-training measures of myth endorsement, perceived knowledge, and actual knowledge of sex trafficking. Immediately post-training, participants completed measures of perceived knowledge, actual knowledge, and training satisfaction. Following a one-week delay, participants again responded to measures of myth acceptance, perceived knowledge, and actual knowledge. Regardless of training condition, participants showed improvements in “myth endorsement reduction”, perceived knowledge, and actual knowledge post-training. Compared to the stories-only and combination training conditions, participants in the facts-only condition expressed the greatest reduction in myth endorsement, greatest perceived knowledge, greatest actual knowledge, and greatest training satisfaction. Findings indicate promise for a brief online sex trafficking training using the facts-only format. We discuss research for further investigation of sex trafficking trainings and policy and practice recommendation for professionals.

Keywords: sex trafficking, training, evaluation, awareness