Human trafficking can have numerous lasting impacts on survivors’ lives. These include mental health impacts, such as depression and PTSD; physical health impacts, such as chronic pain, injuries, and exposure to sexually transmitted infections; housing instability or homelessness; and legal issues related to immigration, child custody, eviction, and vacatur or expungement of criminal records.

Anti-trafficking organizations are tasked with identifying and addressing these needs. This can be a considerable challenge, often requiring a combination of direct support and referrals and carried out while navigating complex systems and funding requirements. A related challenge concerns impact. Put simply, how do we know whether our services are working? What counts as a meaningful improvement in clients’ lives?

Read more in our briefing note: Measuring the Impact of Services Over Time