278 – Identifying and Interacting with Minor Victims of Human Trafficking, with Dr. Jodi Quas

Dr. Sandie Morgan is joined by Dr. Jodi Quas to discuss new research on forensic interviews for minor victims of human trafficking. They review what the research is saying, strategies to work with minors, and how this research is being disseminated for implementation.

Dr. Jodi Quas

Jodi Quas, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychological Science at the University of California, Irvine. Her work is recognized across the globe for advancing knowledge of children’s eyewitness capabilities, abuse disclosure, and of the consequences of legal involvement on child victims, witnesses, and defendants. She has received numerous awards for her work and student training. She is dedicated to pursuing rigorous science on crucial topics relevant to identifying and intervening on behalf of victimized children, and to disseminating findings to law enforcement, legal and medical professionals, educators, and social service professionals in the U.S. and abroad. Most recently, with funding from the National Science Foundation and the Criminal Investigations and Network Analysis Center, she has been focused on improving legal interventions for adolescent victims of abuse and commercial sexual exploitation.

Key Points

The anti-human trafficking research community has been developing tools and forensic interview approaches for child victims of human trafficking.

During investigations, it is important to give adolescents control by pausing and listening to them.

Nationwide surveys with law enforcement, forensic interviewers, school psychologists, health care providers, et-cetera have assisted to understand what approaches are currently being used during investigations to know what changes are needed.

Rapport building and trust in the beginning is crucial with adolescent victims.

Resources

Criminal Investigations and Network Analysis Center (CINA)

Adolescent and Childhood Experience Lab

Victim Identification Fact Sheet

Love the show? Consider supporting us on Patreon!

Become a Patron

Transcript

Dave [00:00:00] You're listening to the Ending Human Trafficking podcast. This is episode number 278, Identifying and Interacting with Minor Victims of Human Trafficking, with Dr. Jodi Quas.

Production Credits [00:00:13] Produced by Innovate Learning, maximizing human potential.

Dave [00:00:33] Welcome to the Ending Human Trafficking podcast. My name is Dave Stachowiak.

Sandie [00:00:39] And my name is Sandie Morgan.

Dave [00:00:41] And this is the show where we empower you to study the issues, be a voice, and make a difference in ending human trafficking. Sandie, we've had so many conversations over the years of thinking about children and the unfortunate connection with trafficking and there's so many things for us to learn and I'm thrilled today to be able to welcome back a guest. Absolutely an expert in so many of these areas and it's going to help us to really think about identification and interacting with victims. I'm so pleased to welcome back to the show, Jodi Quas. She is professor of psychological science at the University of California, Irvine. Her work is recognized across the globe for advancing knowledge of children's eyewitness capabilities, abuse disclosure, and of the consequences of legal involvement on child victims, witnesses, and defendants. She has received numerous awards for her work and student training. She's dedicated to pursuing rigorous science on crucial topics relevant to identifying and intervening on behalf o...