In Colorado, housing insecurity and homelessness are both causes of human trafficking and areas of greatest need for survivors. Lack of stable housing — and the underlying role of poverty — are major contributors to vulnerability that can lead to exploitative situations. This is particularly true among youth populations. One
Guest Posts
International Migrants Day 2020: Modeling Resiliency in Uncertain Times
Today’s guest post comes from Julia Owen, a recent alumni of LCHT’s Leadership Development Program. Julia works professionally in the immigration field in Colorado. Her perspective this International Migrants Day provides important insight into the resilience of immigrants seeking relief, but also the compounding circumstances of a global pandemic, that
20 Years of TVPA: Looking Back at Anti-Trafficking’s Landmark Legislation
As national awareness of human trafficking continues to increase, we now see hotline numbers in public spaces, hear announcements at airports, and find classes specific to the topic. Given the current level of engagement and attention on human trafficking, it’s hard to believe that it wasn’t until 2000 that this
QAnon and Human Trafficking Conspiracy Theories Are Causing More Harm Than Good
While browsing social media over the past few weeks, you may have observed a surge in human trafficking-related hashtags and posts. As board members with the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking, it was encouraging to see that people were discussing an issue that doesn’t get nearly enough attention – particularly
LGBTQIA+ Vulnerabilities and Leadership in the Anti-Trafficking Movement
As most folx know, June is Pride month. Often, when the month is over, the rainbow flags and apparel are stored away for the next 11 months, until they find their way back to center stage when the following June rolls around. However, in the anti-trafficking movement, we must continue
The Intersection of Labor Exploitation and Human Trafficking
Some misconceptions about human trafficking are easy to correct: No, human trafficking doesn’t happen only in foreign countries. Yes, U.S citizens can also be victims of trafficking. But there are other misunderstandings that can only be clarified through nuanced discussion and an understanding of the gray areas that exist with
Shifting Perceptions: Internship Reflections From Rebecca Brownsword
The Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking’s Leadership Development Program exists to prepare human rights leaders and survivors with the knowledge, skills, and professional development opportunities necessary to contribute to the anti-trafficking movement. We are proud to have the opportunity to work alongside leaders like Rebecca Brownsword, who is wrapping up her participation with our spring cohort and graduating from CU Boulder next month.
Turning Research into Action with the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking
My name is Kristen Anna, and I am a research intern at the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking (LCHT). My experience participating in LCHT’s Leadership Development Program this summer has been fascinating, eye-opening, occasionally confusing, and wonderful. The main reason I was drawn to LCHT was because I was on
David Ryan’s Ironman Effort to Combat Human Trafficking
My name is David Ryan. I am a Development and Communications Intern at the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking (LCHT), average salsa dancer, ultra-triathlete, car-singer, and Colorado convert. My journey to my current chapter with LCHT started with a class I took during my undergraduate studies. Common Phrases, New Meaning
The Colorado Human Trafficking Council Tackles Labor Trafficking
Between 2014 and 2016, state prosecutors in Colorado filed 97 cases using the new human trafficking statutes. But of those cases, only one constituted labor trafficking. Recognizing the state’s lagging efforts to address labor trafficking, the Colorado Human Trafficking Council (CHTC) dedicated two of its monthly meetings in 2017 to
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