Replication Data for The Evolution of Human Trafficking Policy and Its Effect On Human Trafficking Attitudes

Despite a near unanimous agreement that human trafficking is a morally reprehensible practice, there is confusion around what qualifies as human trafficking in the United States. Adopting a mixed-method strategy, we examine how human trafficking is defined by the public; how contemporary (mis)understanding of human trafficking developed; and the effects of this (mis)understanding on public opinion. The definition of human trafficking has evolved over time to become nearly synonymous with slavery; however, we demonstrate that media and anti-trafficking organizations have been focusing their attention on the sexual exploitation of foreign women. We show that public opinion reflects this skewed attention; the average citizen equates human trafficking with the smuggling of women for sexual slavery. Employing a survey experiment, we find that shining a light on other facets of human trafficking---the fact that human trafficking involves domestic victims and is a security issue---can increase public response to the issue.