Does training make a difference? An evaluation of a specialized human trafficking training module for law enforcement officers

Introduction It is difficult to dispute the claim that human trafficking is a serious transnational crime, but there is far less agreement regarding its prevalence in the USA. Estimates of the number of trafficking victims in the USA vary widely, ranging from a low of approximately 14,000 to a high of over 300,000, depending on the source (Brennan 2005; Cianciarulo 2008; Polaris Project, n.d.; Rieger 2007; Tyldum and Brunovskis 2005). There is also a substantial gap between estimates of victims and the number of officially investigated and prosecuted cases. For example, in FY2012 (October 1-September 30), federal law enforcement agencies and taskforces investigated less than 2500 human trafficking cases, and the Department of Justice initiated 128 federal trafficking prosecutions against 200 charged defendants (US Department of State 2013).