United States Federal Guidance on Witness Protection in Human Trafficking: Case Management Model and System Comparison, The Importance of Physical Protection for Witness Cooperation

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The United States needs overarching federal guidance on witness protection for human trafficking victims/witnesses in order to enhance their safety and participation in prosecuting their traffickers. The international response predicates itself on a victim-centered approach that works along four distinct efforts to combat the problem: Prevention; Protection; Prosecution; and Partnership. Protection of victims is essential for all victims regardless of their cooperation in anti-trafficking efforts, namely trafficker prosecution. Protection comes in two forms, access to social services and physical protection from human traffickers. A prosecutor's ability to secure vital testimony at trial - increasing the likelihood of conviction - was interrelated to the victim witness receiving protection. Federal guidelines for other components of the fight against trafficking, such as the provision of social services, mirror international advice and practices and are clearly outlined, allowing state and local governments to formulate effective policies in providing support to victims of trafficking. As a result, state and local governments vary in their approach to the physical protection of human trafficking victim witnesses. The thesis argues that victim witness cooperation is improved when victims receive aid and protection and that offering even minimal physical protection increases the likelihood of witness cooperation.

Chapter 2 provides a summary of the current frameworks developed by various levels of government to combat human trafficking. The UN and the U.S., as leading authorities, afford similar guidance in most respects. Literature is also reviewed, as pertains to case management and witness protection systems and their place in the global response to human trafficking. Chapter 3 describes the qualitative methodology used to set the stage, analyze research, and deduce meaning to answer the primary thesis question. Chapter 4 offers an analysis of UN, U.S., Colorado, and Denver witness protection guidance and the impact on subordinate levels of government. A secondary analysis of protection provided by NGO case management and witness protection systems articulates the strengths and weaknesses of each. In Chapter 5, recommendations for changes to U.S. witness protection guidance and future topics of research are proposed to generate thoughtful consideration by decision makers and others interested in the human trafficking problem.

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION * Introduction to the Problem * Research Question * Significance of the Study * Key Definitions * CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW * International Guidance * United States Guidance * Victim-Centered Approach * Case Management * Witness Protection Programs * CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY * Methodology Type * Study Design * Sources of Data * Data Analysis * Assumptions * Limitations and Delimitations * Summary * CHAPTER 4 ANALYSIS * Nature and Problem of Human Trafficking * In the Nation's Best Interest * Approaches to Combatting Human Trafficking * Comparison of Witness Protection Guidance * Protection System Comparison: Case Management Model * Witness Protection Model * Summary of Analysis * CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS * Summary * Implications * Recommendations * Future Research * Conclusion