Human and Sex Trafficking: A Quantitative Examination of the Knowledge and Awareness of the College-aged Population

It is crucial for the public and more specifically those who are a part of vulnerable populations to understand the dangers of both human and sex trafficking. One sub-group of vulnerable populations that are likely to encounter a trafficking situation are college students, as many of these students are unaware of trafficking’s prevalence. While there have been studies of specific populations with prior specialized knowledge, there is little information on the knowledge, perceptions, and awareness levels of the general college-aged population. This study will be quantitatively structured into a two-part survey, seeking to collect data from a sample size of 300 students on the campus of Catawba College. Catawba College’s student population provides a diverse sample of participants in terms of economic status, sex, gender identity, race, religion, age, and geographical location. Part one of this study will measure demographic information including gender, age, race, and socioeconomic status. Part two of this study will examine the knowledge and awareness levels of students on the topic of human trafficking. Questions will include identification of various trafficking forms, willingness to intervene, and awareness of trafficking’s prevalence. A measurement of student’s knowledge and awareness of human trafficking will provide future educational and legislative opportunities but will contribute to the dismantling and termination of human trafficking.