NIWAP Web Library

Click here to find a guide to the federal and non-profit agency acronyms used in this library.

Social Science Trafficking Research Findings

This section offers interdisciplinary social science research on human trafficking to support evidence-based practice, policy development, and legal decision-making. The resources included here examine victim identification, service system responses, and the short- and long-term impacts of legal protections for survivors and their families.

Predatory Helpfulness, An Empirical Framework to Identify Fraudulent Tactics Used by Pimps to Recruit and Commercially Sexually Exploit Young Girls and Women (October 24, 2023)

Ginny Sprang, Familial Sex Trafficking: What Research Tells Us About Risk and Opportunity (June 6, 2022)

End Child Prostitution and Trafficking (ECPAT), Full Report: And Boys Too (2022)

Transforming Lives: How the VAWA Self-Petition and U Visa Change the Lives of Survivors and their Children After Employment-Authorization and Legal Immigration Status (June 8, 2021)

Social Science Human Trafficking Research Findings: Tools for Courts (January 25, 2021)

Trafficking Social Science Research Data Sources (January 25, 2021)

NIWAP, Improving Crime Fighting Outcomes in Cases of Immigrant Victims: The Role of Continued Presence and U and T Visas as Tools for Law Enforcement (November 2020)

Sprang & Cole, Familial Sex Trafficking of Minors: Trafficking Conditions, Clinical Presentation, and System Involvement (February 13, 2018)

Abused, Abandoned, or Neglected: Legal Options for Recent Immigrant Women and Girls (August 2016)

NIWAP, And Legal Services Access for All: Implementing VAWA of 2005’s New Path to Legal Services Corporation Funded Representation for Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Human Trafficking, and Other Crimes (January 31, 2015)

NIWAP, How Training and Expertise Improve VAWA Immigration Case Processing: The Efficacy and Legislative History of the Specialized VAWA Unit (January 6, 2015)

National Survey of Service Providers on Police Response to Immigrant Crime Victims, U and T Visa Certification and Language Access (April 16, 2013)

Legal Momentum & NIWAP, Access to Legal Services for Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Trafficking (2011)

National Opinion Research Center (NORC), Finding Victims of Human of Trafficking (September 2008)

For additional helpful research see, Cast, Research and Evaluation

Federal Statutes and Legislative History

This section includes federal trafficking statutes, legislative history, and congressional oversight materials.

Legislative History

Legislative History of VAWA (94,00,05), T and U-Visas, Battered Spouse Waiver, and VAWA Confidentiality (June 17, 2015; updated January 5, 2023)

Congressional Research Service (CRS), Immigration Provisions of the Violence Against Women Act (February 15, 2013)

Congressional Research Service (CRS), Immigration Provisions of the Violence Against Women Act (May 15, 2012)

Congressional Research Service (CRS), Trafficking in Persons: U.S. Policy and Issues for Congress (February 18, 2010)

Congressional Research Service (CRS), Violence Against Women Act: History and Federal Funding (March 6, 2008)

Congressional Research Service (CRS), Violence Against Women Act: History and Federal Funding (January 10, 2008)

Congressional Research Service (CRS), Violence Against Women Act: History and Federal Funding (October 31, 2007)

Congressional Research Service (CRS), Violence Against Women Act: History and Federal Funding (September 19, 2007)

Congressional Research Service (CRS), Violence Against Women Act: History and Federal Funding (August 2, 2007)

Congressional Research Service (CRS), Violence Against Women Act: History and Federal Funding Appropriations 2008 (June 12, 2007)

Congressional Research Service (CRS), Violence Against Women Act: History and Federal Funding (June 15, 2006)

Congressional Research Service (CRS), Violence Against Women Act: History and Federal Funding (October 21, 2005)

Violence Against Women Act of 2000 (2000)

Congressional Hearings and Oversight

U.S. House of Representatives, Foreign Government Complicity in Human Trafficking: A Review of the State Department’s “2002 Trafficking in Persons Report”, Hearing before the Committee on International Relations (June 19, 2002)

U.S. Senate, Human Trafficking: Mail Order Bride Abuses, Hearing before the Subcommittee on East Asian & Pacific Affairs of the Committee on Foreign Relations (July 13, 2004)

U.S. House of Representatives, Combating Human Trafficking: Achieving Zero Tolerance, Hearing before the Committee on International Relations (March 9, 2005)

U.S. Senate, Legal Options to Stop Human Trafficking, Hearing before the Committee on the Judiciary (March 26, 2007)

U.S. House of Representatives, The 2005 Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act: Why Congress Acted to Expand Protections to Immigrant Victims (May 2007)

U.S. House of Representatives, Combating Modern Slavery: Reauthorization of Anti-Trafficking Programs, Hearing before the Committee on the Judiciary (October 31, 2007)

U.S. Senate, Adequacy of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Efforts to Protect Unaccompanied Alien Children from Human Trafficking, Hearing before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (January 28, 2016)

Trafficking Statutes

Federal

H.R.3244 – Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000

H.R.2620 – Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003

H.R.972 – Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005

Public Law 110-457 – William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008

H.R.3589 – Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2011

Public Law 113-4 – Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013

Public Law 114-22 – Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015

Public Law 115-427 – Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2017

Public Law 115-425 – Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2018

State

Center for Women Policy Studies (CWPS), Fact Sheet on State Anti-Trafficking Laws from U.S. PACT (January 2010)

Database of State T and U-Visa Certification Laws

Labor Charts: Employment Based U Visa Criminal Activity State Charts (December 31, 2021)

Appendix I – States with Forced Labor Statutes (October 14, 2016, Updated December 29, 2021)

Appendix II – States with Forced Labor mentioned in Other Statutes (October 14, 2016, Updated December 29, 2021)

Appendix III – States with Slave Trade Statutes (October 14, 2016, Updated December 29, 2021)

Appendix IV – States with Involuntary Servitude Statutes (October 14, 2016, Updated December 29, 2021)

Appendix V – States with Involuntary Servitude Mentioned in Other Statutes (October 14, 2016, Updated December 29, 2021)

Appendix VI – States with Involuntary Servitude and Slavery (Slave Trade) in the State Constitution and in Statute (October 14, 2016, Updated December 29, 2021)

Appendix VII – States with Peonage Statutes (October 14, 2016, Updated December 29, 2021)

Appendix VIII – States with Peonage Mentioned in Other Statutes (October 14, 2016, Updated December 29, 2021)

Appendix IX – Multi-State Overview – Forced Labor, Involuntary Servitude, Slavery and Peonage Definitions (December 31, 2021)

Massachusetts – Certification for Victims of Violence Crime and Human Trafficking (2021)

Policy, Regulations, and Government Guidance on Trafficking

This section compiles federal regulations, agency policies, and official guidance addressing human trafficking, victim protection, and immigration relief.

T-Visa Regulations and Regulatory History

Regulation Comparisons – Reflects Amendments to Regulations and Identifies Regulatory History That Continues to be Legally Relevant

T Visa Regulations: 2002, 2016, & 2024 – Regulations, Comparison, and Regulatory History (June 24, 2024)

T Visa Regulations: 2002 & 2016 (June 23, 2020)

Regulations and Regulatory History

Classification for Victims of Severe Forms of Trafficking in Persons; Eligibility for ‘‘T’’ Nonimmigrant Status -T Visa Final Regulations (April 30, 2024)

Federal Register, Classification for Victims of Severe Forms of Trafficking in Persons; Eligibility for “T” Nonimmigrant Status (April 30, 2024)

Federal Register, New Classification for Victims of Severe Forms of Trafficking in Persons; Eligibility for “T” Nonimmigrant Status (January 31, 2002)

Regulation Text

Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (October 25, 2022)

Protection and Assistance for Victims of Human Trafficking – 22 Code of Federal Regulations – Section 7105 (2020)

Protection and Assistance for Victims of Trafficking – 22 C.F.R. Section 7105 (October 28, 2000)

Government Publications

DOJ

DOJ, Attorney General’s Annual Report to Congress on U.S. Government Activities to Combat Trafficking in Persons (April 28, 2020)

DOJ, Attorney General’s Annual Report to Congress on U.S. Government Activities to Combat Trafficking in Persons (Fiscal Year 2018)

Reports to Congress on U.S. Government Activities to Combat Trafficking in Persons:

White House

The White House, National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking (December 2021)

Health & Human Services (HHS) and Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP)

OTIP, Instructions on Requests for Assistance for Child Victims of Human Trafficking (Current as of 2022)

OTIP, Adult Certification Handout (2021)

OTIP, Adult Certification Handout (2016)

OTIP, HHS Administration for Children and Families – Child Certification Handout (November 6, 2020)

OTIP, Program Instruction: Issuance of Child Eligibility Letters on or after Applicant’s 18th Birthday (May 11, 2016)

Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)

OVC, Guidance about Services to Immigrant Victims of Crime (August 2016)

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Please find all Blue Campaign resources under the “DHS Blue Campaign Government Publications” section below.

DHS, Center for Countering Human Trafficking Releases Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report (August 13, 2025)

DHS, Human Trafficking Laws & Regulations (Current as of April 10, 2025)

DHS, Fact Sheet: Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking (January 25, 2022)

DHS, Interactive Infographic on Protections for Immigrant Victims (November 2021)

DHS Takes Victim-Centered Approach on First Anniversary of Center for Countering Human Trafficking (October 20, 2021)

DHS, Human Trafficking Truck Stop Animated Video (September 28, 2021)

ICE, Using a Victim-Centered Approach with Noncitizen Crime Victims (August 10, 2021)

DHS, Fact Sheet: Human Trafficking (2021)

DHS, T Visa Law Enforcement Resource Guide: For Federal, State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial law Enforcement, Prosecutors, Judges and other Government Agencies (2021)

DHS, U and T Visa Law Enforcement Resource Guide for Federal, State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Law Enforcement, Prosecutors, Judges, and Other Government Agencies (November 30, 2015)

DHS & The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, “Roll Call Videos for Law Enforcement on U Visa Certification and T Visa Endorsement” (September 26, 2013)

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

ICE, Human Trafficking: Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Plays an Integral Role in Combating Human Trafficking by Working with its Law Enforcement Partners to Deter, Disrupt & Dismantle the Criminal Networks Engaged in Trafficking Activities (August 20, 2025)

ICE, Center for Countering Human Trafficking: Continued Presence Resource Guide (September 2023)

ICE, Center for Countering Human Trafficking: Continued Presence Resource Guide (July 2021)

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Directive 10075.2: Continued Presence (October 6, 2016)

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

USCIS, Questions and Answers: Victim of Human Trafficking, T Nonimmigrant Status (March 18, 2025)

USCIS, Immigration Options for Victims of Crime-Information for Law Enforcement, Healthcare Providers, and Other Front-Line Workers (January 2025)

USCIS, Fact Sheet: Naturalization for Lawful Permanent Residents who had T or U Nonimmigrant Status (September 21, 2022)

DHS, U Visa Law Enforcement Resource Guide: For Federal, State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Law Enforcement, Prosecutors, Judges and other Government Agencies (February 28, 2022) (U visas are also available to assist victims of human trafficking)

DHS, T Visa Law Enforcement Resource Guide: For Federal, State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Law Enforcement, Prosecutors, Judges and other Government Agencies (October 20, 2021)

USCIS, T Nonimmigrant Status for Victims of Severe Forms of Trafficking in Persons (October 20, 2021)

USCIS, Victims of Human Trafficking: T Nonimmigrant Status (October 10, 2021)

USCIS, Guidelines for the Enforcement of Civil Immigration Law (September 30, 2021)

USCIS, Immigration Options for Victims of Crimes (2010)

USCIS, Response to Recommendation 39: “Improving Process for Victims of Trafficking and Certain Criminal Activity: The T and U Visas -Richard Flowers (May 22, 2009)

USCIS, Improving the Process for Victims of Human Trafficking and Certain Criminal Activity: The T and U Visa (January 29, 2009)

USCIS, Brochure: Immigration Remedies for Trafficking Victims (December 2008)

DOJ Immigration and Naturalization Service, Memorandum Regarding Deferred Action for Aliens with Bona Fide Applications for T Nonimmigrant Status (May 8, 2002)

USCIS T Visa Forms

Please take note of the “Edition Date” found on the bottom left-hand side of the form(s), because USCIS will likely reject an application that is not the current edition date.

USCIS – T Visa Form(s) for Principal Applicant

Form I-914, Application for T Nonimmigrant Status (Edition 1/20/2025)

Instructions for Form I-914 – Application for T Nonimmigrant Status (Edition 1/20/2025)

USCIS – T Visa Form(s) for Family Member(s) (e.g., derivative applicant(s))

Form I-914, Supplement A, Application for Family Member of T-1 Recipient (Edition 12/02/2021)

Form I-914, Supplement A, Application for Derivative T Nonimmigrant Status (Edition 1/20/2025)

Instructions for Form I-914, Supplement A, Application for Derivative T Nonimmigrant Status (Edition 1/20/2025)

USCIS – T Visa Form for Law Enforcement

Form I-914, Supplement B, Declaration for Trafficking Victim (Edition 1/20/2025)

Instructions for Form I-914, Supplement B, Declaration for Trafficking Victim (Edition 1/20/2025)

USCIS Policy Manuals

USCIS Policy Manual: Part B – Victims of Human Trafficking (T-Visa) – Chapter 1-14

Chapter 1 – Victims of Trafficking, Chapter 1 (May 2024)

Chapter 2 – Eligibility Requirements for Victims of Human Trafficking (Current as of August 29, 2025)

Chapter 3 – Documentation and Evidence for Principal Applicants (Current as of September 26, 2025)

Chapter 4 – Family Members (Current as of September 26, 2025)

Chapter 5 – Documentation and Evidence for Family Members (Current as of September 26, 2025)

Chapter 6 – Bona Fide Determinations (Current as of September 26, 2025)

Chapter 7 – Adjudication (Current as of September 26, 2025)

Chapter 8 – Annual Cap and Waiting List (Current as of September 26, 2025)

Chapter 9 – Applicants in Removal Proceedings (Current as of September 26, 2025)

Chapter 10 – Duration and Extensions of Status (Current as of September 26, 2025)

Chapter 11 – Federal Benefits and Work Authorization (Current as of September 26, 2025)

Chapter 12 – Travel Outside the United States (Current as of September 26, 2025)

Chapter 13 – Revocation of Status (Current as of September 26, 2025)

Chapter 14 – Confidentiality Protections and Prohibitions Against Disclosure (Current as of September 26, 2025)

USCIS Policy Manual – Trafficking Victim-Based Adjustment (Applications for Lawful Permanent Residency/Green Card) – Chapters 1-5

Chapter 1 – Purpose and Background (Current as of September 26, 2025)

Chapter 2 – Eligibility Requirements (Current as of September 26, 2025)

Chapter 3 – Documentation and Evidence (Current as of September 26, 2025)

Chapter 4 – Filing (Current as of September 26, 2025)

Chapter 5 – Adjudication (Current as of September 26, 2025)

USCIS, Policy Manual – Victims of Human Trafficking Waivers of Admissibility (2021)

DHS Blue Campaign Government Publications

DHS, Blue Campaign: How to Talk to Youth About Human Trafficking A Guide for Youth Caretakers and Individuals Working with Youth (June 5, 2025)

DHS, Blue Campaign: Guía de Respuesta a la Trata de Personas para Líderes Comunitarios Basados en la Fe (Spanish Translation) (June 5, 2025)

DHS, Blue Campaign: Human Trafficking Response guide for Faith-Based Community Leaders (June 5, 2025)

DHS, Blue Campaign: Guía de Respuesta a la Trata de Personas para Líderes Comunitarios Basados en la Fe (Spanish Translation – June 5, 2025)

DHS, Blue Campaign: Human Trafficking Response Guide for School Resource Officers (June 5, 2025)

DHS, Blue Campaign: Response Guide for Campus Law Enforcement and Public Safety Officials (June 5, 2025)

DHS, Blue Campaign: Indicators of Human Trafficking (May 30, 2024)

DHS, Blue Campaign: Myths and Misconceptions about Human Trafficking (August 25, 2022)

DHS, Blue Campaign: Continued Presence – Temporary Immigration Designation for Victims of Human Trafficking (2020)

DHS, Blue Campaign: What Can You Do? Recognizing and Supporting Victims in the Courtroom (2017)

DHS, Blue Campaign: Human Trafficking 101 (2017)

DHS, Blue Campaign: Human Trafficking (2017)

DHS, Blue Campaign: What Can You Do? Identifying Victims and Reporting Suspected Cases of Human Trafficking (2017)

DHS, Blue Campaign: First Responders and Healthcare Professionals – Identifying Victims and Reporting Suspected Cases of Human Trafficking (2017)

DHS, Blue Campaign, Human Trafficking 101 for School Administrators and Staff (2017)

DHS, Blue Campaign: Make the Connection Supporting and Stabilizing Victims of Human Trafficking (2015)

DHS, Blue Campaign, Recognizing and Supporting Victims in the Courtroom (2015)

DHS, Blue Campaign: Information for Law Enforcement Officials – Immigration Relief for Victims of Human Trafficking and Other Crimes (August 2014)

DHS, Blue Campaign: Trafficking Public Service Announcement “Crash” (June 14, 2013)

DHS, Blue Campaign: Immigration Relief for Victims of Human Trafficking and Other Crimes – Information for Law Enforcement Officials (2011)

DHS, Blue Campaign: Continued Presence – Temporary Immigration Status for Victims of Human Trafficking (July 2010)

Executive Orders

Executive Order 13257, President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (February 13, 2002)

Executive Order 13627, Strengthening Protections Against Trafficking in Persons in Federal Contracts (September 25, 2012)

Executive Order 13773, Enforcing Federal Law with Respect to Transnational Criminal Organizations and Preventing International Trafficking (February 9, 2017)

Executive Order 13903, Combating Human Trafficking and Online Child Exploitation in the United States (January 31, 2020)

Executive Order 13923, Establishment of the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force Under Section 741 of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act (May 20, 2020)

Special Populations and Trafficking

These resources address how human trafficking impacts specific populations and provide tailored legal, court, and service-provider guidance.

Labor Trafficking

Domestic Violence and Involuntary Servitude as Human Trafficking (August 17, 2023)

Labor Charts: Employment Based U Visa Criminal Activity State Charts (December 31, 2021)

Labor Trafficking/Drug Charge Judicial Bench Card (August 19, 2021)

Labor Trafficking, Ethical Considerations, Identification of Victims: Immigrant Victims (February 9, 2021)

NJN, Judicial Responses to Labor Trafficking (July 6, 2021)

Child Labor Trafficking

Child Labor Trafficking

Loyola University of Chicago – Center for the Human Rights of Children (CHRC), Child Labor Trafficking: Research, Policies, and Implications for Practice (May 2022)

NJN, Child Labor Trafficking in the United States – An Overview of Research, Policies, and Opportunities (May 6, 2022)

AEquitas (AE), Forced Criminality: Understanding Human Trafficking through the Lens of Utah’s Victor Rax Case (April 2021)

Loyola University of Chicago – Center for the Human Rights of Children (CHRC), Child Labor Trafficking in the United States: A Hidden Crime (June 23, 2017)

Sex Trafficking

Child Sex Trafficking

End Child Prostitution and Trafficking (ECPAT), Full Report – And Boys Too: Lack of Recognition of the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Boys in the United States (2022)

NJN, Commercial Sex Trafficking of Young Males (And Boys, Too) PowerPoint (April 5, 2022)

Legal Rights of Immigrant Child Commercial Sex Trafficking Survivors: Public Benefits, Housing, & Victim Services (December 2, 2021)

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), Child Sex Trafficking Resources (October 5, 2021)

At-Risk Youth Caught in the Vortex: The Intersection Between Human Trafficking, Immigration Policies, and Trauma-informed Services for Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (2019)

Sprang & Cole, Familial Sex Trafficking of Minors: Trafficking Conditions, Clinical Presentation, and System Involvement (February 13, 2018)

International Justice Mission (IJM), How to Measure the Prevalence of Child Sex Trafficking (2015)

Resources to Support Child Victims of Trafficking

Government Guidance and Eligibility

OTIP, Child Eligibility Benefits Handout (February 20, 2024)

NJN, HHS’ Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) Answers Questions on Identifying and Reporting Child Trafficking Victims (May 2, 2023)

OTIP, Instructions on Requests for Assistance for Child Victims of Human Trafficking (Current as of 2022)

OTIP, HHS Administration for Children and Families – Child Certification Handout (November 6, 2020)

OTIP, Program Instruction: Issuance of Child Eligibility Letters on or after Applicant’s 18th Birthday (May 11, 2016)

The Court’s Role

Encountering Immigrant Child Trafficking Victims in Court: The Court’s Role & Tips, Tools, and Steps Courts Can Take (November 7, 2023)

NCJFCJ, How Immigration Law and Policies Impact State Courts – When Children and Litigants are Victims of Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, Child Abuse, or Sexual Assault (Fall 2023)

NCJFCJ, How Your Court Can Address Child Sexual Exploitation: A Toolkit to Implement Court-Based Strategies (2023)

NCJFCJ, Two Part Webinar Series: Immigrant Children Who Are Survivors of Trafficking (December 2021)

NCJFCJ, What Should Judges Know About Federal, Tribal, and State Domestic Child Sex Trafficking Legislation? (2019)

The Development of the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Courts (February 7, 2023)

Legal Protections

U Visa Certification, T Visa Declaration, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and Violence Against Women Act Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrant Children: A Toolkit for Child Protective Services (July 8, 2024)

Legal Protections for Immigrant Children Who Are Victims of Human Trafficking (December 2, 2021)

Immigration Matters Related to Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking and Abused or Neglected Children (August 16, 2018)

American Bar Association (ABA), Meeting the Legal Needs of Child Trafficking Victims: An Introduction for Children’s Attorneys & Advocates (2009)

U.S. Committee for Refugees & Immigrants (USCRI) – Practice Guidance for Advocates and Service Providers

USCRI, Special Considerations for Foreign National Children & Youth Survivors of Trafficking (January 2023)

USCRI, Trauma-Informed Case Management with Foreign National Children and Youth Survivors of Trafficking (June 2021)

USCRI, Safety Planning with Foreign National Children and Youth Survivors of Trafficking (February 2021)

Blue Campaign Resources for Schools and Youth Institutions

DHS, Blue Campaign: Human Trafficking Response Guide for School Resource Officers (June 5, 2025)

DHS, Blue Campaign: Response Guide for Campus Law Enforcement and Public Safety Officials (June 5, 2025)

DHS, Blue Campaign: How to Talk to Youth About Human Trafficking A Guide for Youth Caretakers and Individuals Working with Youth (June 5, 2025)

DHS, Blue Campaign: Guía de Respuesta a la Trata de Personas para Líderes Comunitarios Basados en la Fe (Spanish Translation) (June 5, 2025)

DHS, Blue Campaign: Human Trafficking 101 for School Administrators and Staff (2017)

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Understanding Human Trafficking Co-Occurring with Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Domestic Violence and Involuntary Servitude as Human Trafficking (August 17, 2023)

The Human Trafficking Legal Center (HTLC), Fact Sheet: Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence (2018)

Freedom Network (FNUSA), Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence (April 2015)

Human Trafficking and Sexual Assault (June 2013)

Dorchen A. Leidholdt, Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence – A Primer for Judges (2013)

Becky Owens, Domestic & Sexual Violence Intersections with Trafficking Issue Brief (2012)

Complicated Overlay of Domestic Violence, Immigration Status and Human Trafficking (December 15, 2020)

Identifying and Distinguishing Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking

Identifying Human Trafficking in Domestic Violence Relationships: How OTIP Letters and Certifications Can Enhance Access to Public Benefits and Services for Survivors of Trafficking and Their Children (October 10, 2023)

Resources for Advocates, Courts, and Attorneys

Legal Protections for Immigrant Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence that Enhance Victim and Community Safety (April 26, 2024)

NCJFCJ, Responding to Immigrant Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence (April 27, 2021)

Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence (API-GBV), Trafficking: Resources for Advocates Addressing Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, and Human Trafficked Victims (March 2018)

See additional resources from API-GBV

Dorchen A. Leidholdt, Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence – A Primer for Judges (2013)

American Bar Association (ABA), Meeting the Legal Needs of Human Trafficking Victims: An Introduction for Domestic Violence Attorneys & Advocates (2009)

Public Benefits and Services

Eligibility, Certification, and Access to Benefits

Public Benefits Flow Charts: VAWA Self-Petition and Cancellation, U Visas, T Visas, and SIJS ( December 29, 2021)

Bench Cards for the most common forms of immigration relief trafficking victims may be eligible for:

Bench Card on Immigrant Crime Victim’s and Immigrant Children’s Access to Public Benefits and Services (December 31, 2021)
Bench Card Trafficking Victim Immigration and Public Benefits Eligibility Process (December 31, 2021)
Bench Card: U-Visa Victim Immigration and Public Benefits Eligibility Process (December 31, 2021)
Bench Card: Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) Immigration and Public Benefits Eligibility Process (July 13, 2022)

HUD, SNAPS in Focus: Addressing the Needs of Human Trafficking Victims (2016)

Federal Certification & Benefit Letters

OTIP, Child Eligibility Benefits Handout (February 20, 2024)

OTIP, Adult Certification Handout (2021)

OTIP, HHS Administration for Children and Families – Child Certification Handout (November 6, 2020)

Request That SSA Issue A Non-Work SSN to a Benefits Eligible Immigrant (June 2014)

Guidance for Courts, Advocates, and Service Providers

Tips and Guidance for Helping Unaccompanied Immigrant Youth Access Publicly Funded Benefits and Services (April 18, 2023)

List of Supporting Documents For Training- Housing Rights for Immigrant Survivors (September 23, 2021)

How to Advocate for Public and Assisted Housing for Your Battered Immigrant or Trafficking Survivor Client (2017)

Access to Publicly Funded Legal Services for Immigrant Survivors (October 1, 2014)

HHS, Services Available to Victims of Human Trafficking: A Resource Guide for Social Service Providers (2012)

LSC Program Letter 06-2: Violence Against Women Act 2006 Amendments (February 21, 2006)

Resources for Trafficking Victims

Catholic Charities DC, Trafficking Victims Assistance Program (Current as of October 3, 2025)

National Latin@ Network (NLN), Resource List (Last Visited October 3, 2025)

National Human Trafficking Hotline, Safety Planning Information Guide (Last Visited October 3, 2025)

CASA Prince George’s County, Resource Guide for Victims of Human Trafficking (May 2020)

Safe Housing Partnerships: Federal Safe Housing Funding Resources – CARES Act (April 22, 2020)

Addressing Human Trafficking In Specific Cultural Communities

Assisting Survivors of Human Trafficking: Multicultural Case Studies (2017)

Indigenous Communities

NJN, Trafficking of Native Youth, Children, and Adults: Promising Practices and Response Strategies (July 16, 2024)

Justice McKeig & Senator Kunesh, We Are Not Invisible: Improving Awareness of Human Trafficking Issues in Indigenous Communities (Presentation) (2022)

NCJFCJ, We Are Not Invisible: Improving Awareness of Human Trafficking Issues in Indigenous Communities (Resource Guide) (2022)

Asian Communities

NJN, Criminal Justice Responses to Asian Women Caught in the Cross-Hairs of Exploitation and Human Trafficking (Webinar) (January 11, 2022)

Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence (API-GBV), Trafficking: Resources for Advocates Addressing Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, and Human Trafficked Victims (March 2018)

U.S. Senate, Trafficking in Women and Children in East Asia and Beyond: A Review of U.S. Policy, Transcript of hearing before the Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs of the Committee on Foreign Relations (April 9, 2003)

Family, Criminal, and Civil Court Responses to Trafficking

Human Trafficking Colorado Judicial Bench Card (August 19, 2021)

NCJFCJ, Trauma-Informed Courtroom Practices: A Bench Card for Judges (August 5, 2025)

When Federal Immigration Laws and State Family Laws Intersect: Promoting Just and Equitable Outcomes for Immigrant Survivors and Children (October 8, 2024)

Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC), Human Trafficking: Judicial Bench Card (2023)

AOPC, Understanding Human Trafficking Fiction vs. Fact (2023)

AOPC, Human Trafficking Data Fact Sheet (2021)

NJN, Immigrant Victims of Human Trafficking, Identification, Immigration Relief and the Court’s Role (March 14, 2022)

National Association of Women Judges, A Guide to Human Trafficking for State Courts (July 2014)

National Association of Women Judges, Chapter 6: Ethical Issues for Judges and Courts in Processing Human Trafficking Cases (July 2014)

In Our Own Backyards: The Need for a Coordinated Judicial Response to Human Trafficking (January 15, 2013)

Human Trafficking and the State Courts Collaborative

These resources were created from the State Justice Institute (SJI)-funded Human Trafficking and the State Courts Collaborative, made up of the Center for Public Policy Studies (CPPS), the National Judicial College (NJC), and the Center for Court Innovation (CCI).