Human Trafficking in the Midwest: A Case Study of St. Louis and the Bi-State Area

Human Trafficking in the Midwest reveals the existence of the various forms of human trafficking evident in St. Louis, Missouri and the bi-state area, and the efforts that are being made at the community, social service, and legal levels to improve the lives of those who have been identified as victims/survivors of human trafficking. The book was developed through research with community leaders, social service providers, law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and survivors of human trafficking in St. Louis and the bi-state area. The data set was built on two years of interviews, surveys, and field observations.

Human Trafficking in the Midwest is unique in that it moves beyond advocacy-based research and approaches the topic of human trafficking in the United States from a sociological, criminological, and political science perspective. It adds to the extant literature on human trafficking in the United States by presenting a case study that examines forced labor and sexual exploitation in the Midwest. Finally, the book recognizes that anti-trafficking efforts involve a combination of community leaders, social service providers, and legal groups focused on identifying and assisting victims of trafficking while, at the same time, reducing trafficking through education and prosecution.

"Through an analysis of the scope of the problem in the area, current legislation to address it and the service providers and law enforcement who intersect with the victims at different stages, this book provides the reader with a deeper understanding of what is going well in regard to fighting human trafficking as well as the areas that need more focus and resources." ― Kylla Lanier, Truckers Against Trafficking

PowerPoint slides are available upon adoption. Sample slides from the full 77-slide presentation are available to view here. Email bhall@cap-press.com for more information.

Erin Heil is a professor of Criminal Justice Studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Andrea Nichols is a professor of sociology at St. Louis Community College Forest Park and lecturer of women, gender and sexuality studies at Washington University in St. Louis.