Enhancing Anti-Human Trafficking Efforts through Research Collaboration: A Case Study of the University of South Carolina Upstate and Switch
Abstract
This presentation describes a current community-engaged partnership between the Upstate Crime Analysis Center (UCAC) at the University of South Carolina Upstate (USC Upstate) and Switch, a local anti-human trafficking organization based in Greenville. This partnership represents a significant step in advancing survivor services and community safety. At the core of this collaboration is the migration of Switch's survivor data to a new platform, designed to enhance accessibility and reduce operational costs. USC Upstate students actively participate in this project, gaining practical experience while contributing to a safer community.
This collaboration yields mutual benefits for USC Upstate and Switch. For USC Upstate, students receive hands-on training, bridging the gap between theory and practice, and fostering essential skills in data management and community engagement. Additionally, USC Upstate's support enables Switch to streamline data processes, ultimately improving survivor services and increasing efficiency in grant application processes.
For Switch, the transition to a new data platform signifies a significant advancement in its ability to serve survivors effectively. By optimizing data management practices, Switch can provide more tailored support to survivors while also demonstrating increased impact to potential funders. This, in turn, enhances Switch's capacity to secure essential grant funding and sustain its operations over the long term.
In conclusion, the collaborative efforts between USC Upstate and Switch exemplify the transformative potential of academic-community partnerships in combating human trafficking. By leveraging academic expertise and community engagement, this partnership not only enriches student learning experiences but also strengthens survivor support services and contributes to the broader goal of creating a safer and more resilient society.
Keywords
SERVICE LEARNING, criminal justice, human trafficking
Enhancing Anti-Human Trafficking Efforts through Research Collaboration: A Case Study of the University of South Carolina Upstate and Switch
CASB 102
This presentation describes a current community-engaged partnership between the Upstate Crime Analysis Center (UCAC) at the University of South Carolina Upstate (USC Upstate) and Switch, a local anti-human trafficking organization based in Greenville. This partnership represents a significant step in advancing survivor services and community safety. At the core of this collaboration is the migration of Switch's survivor data to a new platform, designed to enhance accessibility and reduce operational costs. USC Upstate students actively participate in this project, gaining practical experience while contributing to a safer community.
This collaboration yields mutual benefits for USC Upstate and Switch. For USC Upstate, students receive hands-on training, bridging the gap between theory and practice, and fostering essential skills in data management and community engagement. Additionally, USC Upstate's support enables Switch to streamline data processes, ultimately improving survivor services and increasing efficiency in grant application processes.
For Switch, the transition to a new data platform signifies a significant advancement in its ability to serve survivors effectively. By optimizing data management practices, Switch can provide more tailored support to survivors while also demonstrating increased impact to potential funders. This, in turn, enhances Switch's capacity to secure essential grant funding and sustain its operations over the long term.
In conclusion, the collaborative efforts between USC Upstate and Switch exemplify the transformative potential of academic-community partnerships in combating human trafficking. By leveraging academic expertise and community engagement, this partnership not only enriches student learning experiences but also strengthens survivor support services and contributes to the broader goal of creating a safer and more resilient society.