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A University of 51С�Ƴ� alum and professor of public health have co-authored a paper exploring the gaps in Missouri’s policies to protect victims and survivors of human trafficking.

Rachel Kappler, M.P.H. ’18, and Arduizur Carli Richie-Zavaleta, Dr.PH., M.A.S.P., M.A.I.P.S., adjunct faculty of public health in UNE’s College of Graduate and Professional Studies, co-wrote the paper “Legislative discrepancies: an analysis of Missouri’s current human trafficking laws and the need to improve its legal protection of victims,” published in the International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare.

The paper aims to highlight the present legal gaps within Missouri’s anti-trafficking legislation. It also delineates recommendations for the legal protection of victims of human trafficking and betterment of services needed for their reintegration and healing.   

The researchers argue that human trafficking (HT) is not just a human rights issue but also has public health and policy implications. Victims of HT face abuses that negatively impact their health outcomes, Kappler and Richie-Zavaleta write, and are often seen as criminals in states without legislation, such as Safe Harbor laws, to protect victims.

The case-study is based on a policy analysis of Missouri’s current HT laws and grew from Kappler’s capstone paper in public health at UNE. Analysis was conducted through examining current rankings systems created by nationally and internationally recognized non-governmental organizations as well as governmental reports. Additionally, other states’ best practices and law passage of Safe Harbor legislations were examined.

The researchers found that Missouri has yet to upgrade its anti-trafficking laws to reflect Safe Harbor laws. They write that public health and human rights principles can assist in upgrade and integration of protective legislation and diversion programs to both youth and adult victims of HT.

“If Safe Harbor laws are well designed, they have greater potential to protect, support, and assist victims of HT in their process from victimization into survivorship as well as to pave the way for societal reintegration. The creation and enforcement of Safe Harbor laws is a way to ensure the decriminalization process,” the authors write. “Additionally, this legal protection also ensures that the universal human rights of victims are protected. Consequently, these legal processes and updates could assist in creating healthier communities in the long run in the U.S. and around the world.”