Human Trafficking Study Group

Spring 2020

Carr Center for Human Rights Policy

Harvard University | John F. Kennedy School of Government

Convened and Moderated by Laura Cordisco Tsai, PhD

Human trafficking is a form of interpersonal trauma that has severe immediate and long-term mental health impacts upon survivors. Experiencing human trafficking can lead to depression, hopelessness, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, harmful substance use, self-harm, and suicidality. The UN Trafficking Protocol stipulates that ratifying states should provide assistance and protection for survivors of human trafficking, including services providing for the social and psychological recovery of survivors. However, fundamental access to appropriate services and the existence of evidence-based approaches to mental health service delivery are highly limited. This study group will explore the mental health impacts of human trafficking, as well as promising practices for strengthening rights-based approaches to addressing the mental health needs of survivors. Participants will learn from active discussion of readings, as well as presentations from invited experts engaged in both practice and research with survivors of human trafficking and anti-trafficking service providers.

Registration is capped at 20 participants. Please send your resume and a short paragraph of your academic or professional interest to Dr. Cordisco Tsai at laura_cordisco_tsai@hks.harvard.edu by February 10, 2020. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis—earlier submissions will have a higher chance of acceptance. If applying, please ensure your availability for the entirety of all three session dates and times listed below.

Location/Time

The study group will take place three times over the Spring 2020 semester on the following dates:

Session 1:    Thursday, March 5, 2020, 4:30 pm – 5:45 pm R-414AB

Session 2:    Thursday, April 2, 2020, 4:30 pm – 5:45 pm R-414AB

Session 3:    Thursday, April 30, 2020, 4:30 pm – 5:45 pm L-324 Fainsod