How to Use This Guide
This e-Guide serves as a resource to assist in the formation of new task forces as well as provide guidance and support for existing Task Forces. The Guide provides a step-by-step outline, beginning with the basics of human trafficking and progressing to task force formation, operation, and guidance on how to carry out a victim-centered response, deliver victim services, and build strong cases for the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking.
Established Task Forces can use this e-Guide to enhance existing operations or as a tool to assist in the revitalization of Task Force efforts and operations. Task Forces that are currently restructuring or rebuilding will also benefit from reviewing the e-Guide to evaluate strengths and weaknesses as well as identify creative and promising practices in task force operations that will ultimately contribute to ideal case outcomes.
This Guide does not provide OVC or BJA programmatic or grant-specific information as it is intended to be a tool for all anti-trafficking task forces, regardless of funding source. The Guide focuses on the U.S. response to human trafficking; however, it also may be useful to counterparts in other countries seeking to initiate or strengthen their multidisciplinary anti-human trafficking efforts.
Throughout the guide, you will find resource links and call out boxes with additional information. They are categorized in different ways:
These include smart practices in task force management, victim identification, victim service provision, and investigation and prosecution of human traffickers.
Case Studies
These include news articles and documents on human trafficking cases, as well as real-world Task Force examples.
These include fillable forms, outlines, Web sites, search tools, videos, and posters.
These include definitions of key terms, laws, and concepts in the anti-trafficking field.
These include research articles and links to other Web sites for additional information and training opportunities.
You will see small arrows next to various chapters and sections in the Table of Contents. A right-pointing arrow indicates that there is additional content within that chapter or section. Hover over the arrow (it will turn red) and click on it to reveal additional topics and content. Click on the arrow again to hide content.
In addition, wherever you see this icon it indicates you are visiting an external Web site, which will open in a new window. OVC TTAC neither endorses, has any responsibility for, nor exercises any control over the organization's views or the accuracy of the information contained in those pages outside of OVC TTAC's Web site.
While this e-Guide was designed for task forces, it is a tool that can be used by anyone in the anti-trafficking field looking for guidance on laws and legislation on trafficking, collaboration between law enforcement and victim service providers to promote victim-centered responses to trafficking, and more.