Perceptions, Knowledge, and Attitudes about Human Trafficking Questionnaire: Extending Its Utility with Social Work Students

Abstract

This study, a two-site, cross-sectional survey of university students (n = 321 at site 1; n = 201 at site 2), extends the development and utility of the Perceptions, Knowledge, and Attitudes about Human Trafficking Questionnaire by generating factor-based scales and scores to represent values for its three factors (Self-Appraisal of Knowledge/Skills, Worldview of Human Trafficking, and Help-Seeking Behavior/Personal Beliefs) in order to examine their relationship to background criterion variables and assess differences between social work and non–social work students and between subgroups of social work students. Across both samples, the background variables of human trafficking training and professional responsibilities related to addressing human trafficking were predictive of self-appraisal of knowledge/skills. Additionally, social work students had higher scores than non–social work students on the worldview of human trafficking and help-seeking behavior/personal beliefs factor-based scales, suggesting that social work students perceived human trafficking to be more of a social problem and held fewer misperceptions of the help-seeking behavior of and a greater willingness to provide social services to persons who are trafficked than non–social work students. Implications for social work education, practice, and research are presented.

Commentary: Ending Human Trafficking in Sport - A Playbook for Forward Progress

“…Human trafficking receives attention from global leaders as one of the most crucial international social justice issues of our time (Schwarz, 2019;Talbot & Suzuki, 2021). Leaders recognize the need for prevention, intervention, postvention, and prosecution related to horrific acts of human trafficking (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2022).While there is a lack of awareness of human trafficking among the general population, there has been growing interest among helping professionals, including law enforcement (Mapp et al, 2016), health care providers (McAmis et al, 2021), and social workers (Enrile, 2018;Welch-Brewer et al, 2021). Understanding and identifying the red flags of human trafficking are crucial for those helping professionals working on the front lines, as they may encounter victims HUMAN TRAFFICKING OF ATHLETES…”

“…While there is a lack of awareness of human trafficking among the general population, there has been growing interest among helping professionals, including law enforcement (Mapp et al, 2016), health care providers (McAmis et al, 2021), and social workers (Enrile, 2018;Welch-Brewer et al, 2021). Understanding and identifying the red flags of human trafficking are crucial for those helping professionals working on the front lines, as they may encounter victims HUMAN TRAFFICKING OF ATHLETES…”

“…Social workers, in particular, are at the forefront of the anti-trafficking movement (Enrile, 2018;Healy, 2015). Due to their commitment to the ethics and values of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW, 2022) social workers specialize in practice settings serving vulnerable groups (Welch-Brewer et al, 2021). Social workers ensure access to education on social injustices, help individuals address biopsychosocial challenges, and practice from a lens of cultural inclusivity (NASW, 2022).…”