“This is the First Time I’ve Felt Seen”: How Community-Engagement Can Improve Human Trafficking Research

Understanding the experiences of those who experienced commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) at early life stages (i.e., below age 11) is critical to gaining a comprehensive understanding of human trafficking. Yet, CSE-impacted groups are rarely integrated into research processes. Further, researchers have not widely documented the benefits of this approach from the perspectives of these community members. Following involvement in a community advisory board and a qualitative study, we asked adults with CSE histories to talk about their experiences in human trafficking research. Using a community-engaged framework and narrative approach, we conducted two to three interviews with 10 participants between September and November 2023. Participants were ages 27-55, identified as cis women or nonbinary, and were Black, white, or multiracial. Through reflexive thematic analysis and in collaboration with participants, three overarching themes were identified: (1) adverse experiences with human trafficking research; (2) perspectives on community-engaged research; and (3) rigorous research can foster healing. Participants felt largely excluded from research, often believing that available human trafficking research misrepresented their experiences. When they were included, they reported that studies frequently lacked trauma-informed and community-engaged approaches. Without such support, research was viewed as emotionally laborious and mentally challenging. Still, there was great excitement, feelings of empowerment, and overall gratitude for their involvement in research studies that did take their needs into account. Participants had high aspirations for how research could benefit their communities over time. Insights gained from these participants underscore the critical need for researchers to prioritize trauma-informed, person-centered, and community-engaged research approaches.