The Human Trafficking Collaborative Network was created in 2015 when four core faculty members – Drs. Tonya Edmond, Andrea Nichols, Rumi Price, and Kathleen Thimsen – discovered that each was engaged in anti-trafficking/exploitation work, but in different areas. The four decided to create an interdisciplinary platform, now housed by the Institute for Public Health.
The core faculty appointments encompass the Brown School of Social Work, School of Medicine and Goldfarb School of Nursing/BJC. The formation of HTCN was also motivated by a high level of interest by students volunteering to participate in human trafficking-related studies.
HTCN Core Partnership represents more than 25 organizations including university researchers and clinicians, healthcare professionals, community coalitions, court systems, law enforcement, community service providers, legislative staff, political advocacy groups, translation businesses, survivors, students and private foundation representatives, among others. The organization is now headed by an executive board, composed of founding and core members.