Understanding the Scope and Nature of Forced Criminality in the United States

There is increasing evidence that people arrested and prosecuted for a wide range of offenses are victims of human trafficking who were coerced, defrauded, or forced into committing these offenses. These justice-involved individuals are not routinely screened for the form of human trafficking known as forced criminality. Failure to recognize victimization, particularly when directly connected to criminal accountability, leaves justice-involved trafficking survivors further victimized, powerless, and without access to critically needed victim services. The lack of understanding about the nature and scope of forced criminality has left criminal justice system personnel with little guidance on the most appropriate responses to victims who engage in crimes under conditions of force, fraud, or coercion. This study seeks to answer important questions related to this under-researched phenomenon through the development and implementation of a forced criminality screening tool to be used by public defenders. Researchers will also conduct semi-structured interviews with criminal justice stakeholders, service providers and individuals who screen positive on the forced criminality screening tool.