In the ever-evolving landscape of human trafficking research, the allure of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) often dominates the discourse, promising precision and rigor. Despite the numerous ethical, legal, and methodological concerns raised by researchers and communities, and known viable alternatives, RCTs continue to be the preferred, if not the required, method for many large-scale funders to combat human trafficking around the globe. Using real-world examples, the presenters will acknowledge the history and utility of RCTs while also addressing concerns regarding their misapplication, and examples of the harm the overreliance on RCTs has caused to the anti-human trafficking effort. Specifically, they will explore how the overreliance on RCTs 1) reflects a Western-centric view of development, inconsistent with the decolonial goal of empowering communities, 2) can create coercion and power imbalance between academics/researchers who know RCTs and the service providers who need funds, 3) sets back the anti-trafficking field by focusing on researcher-originated priorities, 4) perpetuates known methodological concerns, and 5) has created an overabundance of micro-level interventions conducive to an RCT design that have little practical application or applicability to the systemic concerns that perpetuate trafficking. Finally, they will present some of the many rigorous alternative methods to the RCT that center community knowledge and agency and emphasize the need for careful consideration of ethical implications, impact, and cultural sensitivities.
Dr. Madeline Stenersen is a researcher, psychologist, current Assistant Professor of Psychology at Saint Louis University, and head of Evaluation and Learning at the up! Collective. She has a specific expertise in community-informed research and evaluation focused on combatting violence and exploitation around the globe.
Jarrett Davis, a researcher, advocate, and founder of the up! Collective with over 15 years of experience, specializes in the rights of children and vulnerable groups. His work focuses on designing and evaluating evidence-based research and programming for children who have experienced sexual exploitation and violence. He is a Senior Research Scholar in GAHTS.