Policy implications for halting human trafficking and sexual exploitation at U.S. colleges and universities: results from a 12-campus survey

Human trafficking is a priority concern in the U.S, but few research studies have investigated the nature and extent of its occurrence on U.S. college campuses nor strategies to stop it. The objective of this research was to identify its occurrence (force/coercion/fraud into sex exchanges for something of monetary or other value) among college students in San Diego County and Imperial Valley, California, where some of the highest documented rates of human trafficking occur nationally, and its implications for policy. METHODS: College students (n = 971) from 12 campuses in Southern California responded to fliers posted on their campuses by completing online self-administered surveys. RESULTS: Nearly one in five students (18%) surveyed reported experiencing human trafficking in college. In bivariate analyses, trafficked students were more likely to be BIPOC, LGBTQ, foster youth, fraternity/sorority members, use illicit substances, experience abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, or being told to recruit others), transport/sell drugs, perform labor, and exchange sex for grades/schoolwork. Multiple logistic regression analyses (adjusting for age, sexual orientation, race) revealed those trafficked were more likely as college students to exchange sex across the U.S.-Mexico border (OR = 4.02; CI: 2.52-6.17), be inhibited to seek academic counseling (OR = 2.58; CI = 1.63-4.10), acquire a sexually transmitted infection (OR:1.63; CI: 1.04-2.57), wonder how they would afford their next meal (OR:1.20; CI: 1.03-1.40), and feel pressure from others (i.e., instructors, peers) to engage in sex (OR:2.69; CI:11.75-4.12). CONCLUSIONS: Strategies may need to: 1) expand Title IX implementation to encompass human trafficking/sexual exploitation information at all universities, and 2) amend or introduce state laws mandating human trafficking prevention awareness training at schools to include colleges/universities.