Modern Day Slavery

Law and Crime

Protecting Human Trafficking Victims Through T Visas

Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS on February 4, 2026

A Personal Perspective: Why new restrictions could impede the ability to hold traffickers accountable.

A Personal Perspective: Why new restrictions could impede the ability to hold traffickers accountable.

Trauma

Innovative Alternative Approaches to Healing Trauma

Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS on February 8, 2024

Somatic therapies can be effective in trauma recovery, including trauma-informed yoga, mindfulness, and therapeutic gardening.

Somatic therapies can be effective in trauma recovery, including trauma-informed yoga, mindfulness, and therapeutic gardening.

Emotional Abuse

Understanding the Mindset of a Human Trafficking Victim

Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS on April 18, 2023

There are many complex psychological and physical underpinnings for why a victim cannot, or will not, leave a trafficking situation.

There are many complex psychological and physical underpinnings for why a victim cannot, or will not, leave a trafficking situation.

Sex

Sex Traffickers: The Hidden Role of Women

Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS on March 13, 2023

Although sex trafficking is traditionally seen as a male-perpetrated offense, female traffickers may be more common than male traffickers.

Although sex trafficking is traditionally seen as a male-perpetrated offense, female traffickers may be more common than male traffickers.

Trauma

Identifying Human Trafficking Victims in Healthcare Settings

Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS on January 23, 2023

About half of trafficking victims in the U.S. who are seen by healthcare professionals while being trafficked are not identified.

About half of trafficking victims in the U.S. who are seen by healthcare professionals while being trafficked are not identified.

Environment

Child Marriage Links to Climate Change

Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS on December 2, 2022

Every day, 39,000 girls become child brides, totaling more than 14 million child brides around the world each year, and climate change is exacerbating the issue.

Every day, 39,000 girls become child brides, totaling more than 14 million child brides around the world each year, and climate change is exacerbating the issue.

Sex

Criminalize vs. Decriminalize Sex Work: The Debate Continues

Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS on July 22, 2022

The complexities inherent to sex work and prostitution make the debate over how to legislate them, or whether to do so at all, a difficult one to resolve.

The complexities inherent to sex work and prostitution make the debate over how to legislate them, or whether to do so at all, a difficult one to resolve.

Artificial Intelligence

Using the Power of Technology to Fight Online Human Trafficking

Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS on November 10, 2021

Although recent years have seen an increase in online crimes against children, powerful technology can help us in the ongoing struggle against it.

Although recent years have seen an increase in online crimes against children, powerful technology can help us in the ongoing struggle against it.

Trauma

It's More Than Just Fight or Flight

Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS on February 5, 2021

More than just fight and flight, the freeze and fawn stress responses manifest in human trafficking survivors as well.

More than just fight and flight, the freeze and fawn stress responses manifest in human trafficking survivors as well.

Trauma

Not All Trauma Is the Same

Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS on January 8, 2021

January 11 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day, designed to raise awareness about the fact that human trafficking exists and affects people in the U.S. and around the world.

January 11 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day, designed to raise awareness about the fact that human trafficking exists and affects people in the U.S. and around the world.

Career

Protecting Migrant Workers From Deceptive Recruiting Tactics

Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS on November 17, 2020

Some might think that human trafficking most often occurs through coercion, but labor trafficking occurs through a variety of deceptive recruitment tactics aimed at migrant workers.

Some might think that human trafficking most often occurs through coercion, but labor trafficking occurs through a variety of deceptive recruitment tactics aimed at migrant workers.

Environment

The Human Cost of Climate Change

Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS on May 29, 2020

As climate change disasters become more frequent and the will to combat climate change remains insufficient, more effort is needed.

As climate change disasters become more frequent and the will to combat climate change remains insufficient, more effort is needed.

Health

Dentists Are Integral to the Fight Against Human Trafficking

Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS on April 8, 2020

Dental professionals may have the unique opportunity to help victims. Here are the oral health signs and next steps to address them.

Dental professionals may have the unique opportunity to help victims. Here are the oral health signs and next steps to address them.

Career

How the Seafood Industry Got Caught Up in Slavery

Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS on March 24, 2020

Thousands of miles away from your local supermarket, migrant workers endure horrific conditions to catch seafood. Consumers have the power to shape the future of the industry.

Thousands of miles away from your local supermarket, migrant workers endure horrific conditions to catch seafood. Consumers have the power to shape the future of the industry.

Media

Social Media Platforms Help Promote Human Trafficking

Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS on November 22, 2019

While social media has been a force for good in drawing attention to sexual harassment, it has also offered sex traffickers a new avenue through which to ensnare victims.

While social media has been a force for good in drawing attention to sexual harassment, it has also offered sex traffickers a new avenue through which to ensnare victims.

Sexual Abuse

Keeping the Concept of Consent Simple: Yes Means Yes

Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS on October 3, 2019

Another school year has begun and college administrators across the country are doing more to ensure all students understand the true definition of consent.

Another school year has begun and college administrators across the country are doing more to ensure all students understand the true definition of consent.

Sexual Abuse

Rape Myth Acceptance Leads to Victim-Blaming

Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS on August 6, 2019

It’s time to support—not blame—victims.

It’s time to support—not blame—victims.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual Assault on College Campuses Is a Pervasive Problem

Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS on April 15, 2019

Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act to ensure perpetrators of sexual violence against women face harsh consequences.

Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act to ensure perpetrators of sexual violence against women face harsh consequences.

Marriage

Time’s Up on Child Marriages in the U.S.

Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS on March 5, 2019

Child marriage is still legal in the majority of the United States, despite the fact that it is a violation of human rights.

Child marriage is still legal in the majority of the United States, despite the fact that it is a violation of human rights.

Domestic Violence

How Nuisance Laws Perpetuate the Cycle of Domestic Violence

Mellissa Withers, PhD, MHS on October 12, 2018

So-called "nuisance laws" encapsulate how victims of domestic violence are often blamed—and even punished—by our legal system.

So-called "nuisance laws" encapsulate how victims of domestic violence are often blamed—and even punished—by our legal system.