“Collaborating against Human Trafficking addresses a very important issue: what works in much vaunted partnerships to fight trafficking. The world is recognizing that human trafficking is the slavery of our era, and governments, international organizations, nonprofits, and business must work together to slow, reduce, and end it. Foot shows the power of their complementarity and leverage together. In authentic case studies of efforts I have seen firsthand she sheds light on the interests and values motivating public, nonprofit, and private sector players to take on slavery. Most importantly, Foot shows how interests and values between different actors must be aligned for an initiative to be transformative, rather than a triumph of rhetoric and window-dressing. Policymakers, scholars, and aspiring activists would do well to heed the lessons about sound and aligned goals in this book, as those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.” —Mark P. Lagon, President of Freedom House and Former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large to Combat Trafficking in Persons

“Kirsten Foot has tackled the most important aspects of how to achieve effective collaboration in the complex and multi-faceted efforts to end the slavery of human beings. She has identified the factors that must be addressed for different sectors to understand their contributions to accomplishing the common goal. May the book bring forth understanding among government offices, law enforcement, social service agencies, advocates and others to press on in this important effort together– to save many precious lives from this horrific crime.” —Donna M. Hart, Former District Director, U. S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division

“As a survivorship expert, I consider this book a must-read for anyone working to counter human trafficking. Dr. Foot demonstrates that collaboration is the key to sustainable, effective transformation when combating human trafficking. It bridges the gaps between faith-based nonprofits and other sectors.” –Sheila M. Houston, MNPL, Pastor and Founder of Rare Coins Ministries

“Foot has written an excellent book: thoughtful, well researched, and instructive. I urge business leaders to read it and engage in the 21^st century fight against human slavery.” —Marilyn Carlson Nelson, co-founder of the Global Business Coalition Against Trafficking; former chair and CEO of Carlson; recipient of a U.S. Presidential Award for Extraordinary Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons; recipient of a U.S. State Department Trafficking in Persons Hero Award; and recipient of the U.N. G.I.F.T.’s Business Leader’s Award

“Provocative, sensitive, and deeply reflective. This insider’s account explores what it takes to combat human trafficking—together. Foot aptly describes the challenges of partnering and the complex interplay of interpersonal dynamics, cross-sectoral norms, social forces, and competing values. She calls for the thoughtful cultivation of partnerships based on respect, trust, and perseverance. For those who are ‘in it to end it’, this is a valuable and timely contribution; for those interested in productive collaboration to combat human trafficking, it is a must-read. But be warned: Looking into this mirror upon our very human interactions may invoke discomfort.” –Dr. Luke Bearup, Consultant, former Child Protection and Research Development Specialist, Asia Pacific Region, World Vision

“Foot provides a rich and constructive review of the potential for public and private partnerships to combat human trafficking, including numerous examples of cross-sector initiatives led by NGOs, government agencies, foundations, grassroots volunteers, and even the Presidential Cabinet. She utilizes deep research and first-hand accounts to eloquently outline why best intentions at collaboration sometimes succeed, sometimes fade, and sometimes fail, as well as the reasons why power, funding, and competition can interfere. Collaborating against Human Trafficking offers hope and direction on how these necessary cross-sector partnerships can work at scale.” —Karen Olcott, Strategic Development & Innovation, T-Mobile USA; Founder of Partnerships for Global Impact and The Freedom Movement

“This book does an excellent job addressing multisector collaboration, an area of the counter-human trafficking movement that is not well understood. Kirsten Foot’s astute research provides exceptional insight and examples to illustrate collaboration between sectors and organizations. Individuals working against human trafficking hold many intersecting perspectives, as they represent a sector, a discipline, an organization, and themselves. Foot explains these tensions beautifully, using data-informed observations that support the points she makes about communication challenges within and between sectors. Practitioners and researchers who work across sectors on other issues will also benefit from considering the challenges in counter-trafficking collaborations.”–Dr. AnnJanette Alejano-Steele, co-founder of the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking and Professor of Women’s Studies & Psychology, Metropolitan State University of Denver

“Human trafficking is a complex issue, and the response to it is even more complex. As a wide array of professionals and passionate citizens are drawn to the cause, the chief challenge is collaboration—working together to identify victims, assist survivors, and imprison the traffickers. Foot has brought to light the challenges of cross-sector collaboration, the frustrations and rewards for those involved in collaborative anti-trafficking efforts, and what can be achieved—or lost. This accessible and engaging book should be required reading for anyone involved in collaborative work and seeking to make our world a better place in which to live.”  –John Vanek, Leadership & Anti-Human Trafficking Consultant, Lieutenant (Ret.), San Jose Police, SJPD Human Trafficking Task Force

“Kirsten Foot has given the anti-trafficking community a monumental gift with this book. It is a powerful tool to guide more effective collaboration as well as catalyzing more coalitions and networks locally, regionally, and globally.” –Alex Sum, Co-Founder of Seattle Against Slavery and Founder of Human Rights Society

“Leaders will agree that multisector collaboration is crucial to combating human trafficking, yet most are unaware of the inherent challenges and tensions that make collaboration efforts so difficult. Foot shows us the way forward with careful research and analysis to improve communication and organization. Experts, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners will find this book essential.” –Dr. Mark Latonero, Research Director, Center on Communication Leadership & Policy at the University of Southern California Annenberg School, and Fellow, Data & Society Research Institute, NYC

“This is a must read for any person or agency who is engaging, about to engage or ready to disengage in an anti-trafficking collaboration. Dr. Foot provides a deep, rich and realistic analysis of the many challenges and pitfalls, opportunities and rewards that come with multisector collaboration in counter-trafficking efforts. This book underscores the necessity of these partnerships and through her analysis provides an array of tools, resources, and insights that can help make these challenging partnerships more dynamic, powerful, and successful.” –Maria A. Trujillo, Former Executive Director of United Against Human Trafficking

 “This book does an excellent job explaining some very real tensions that exist in collaborative anti-trafficking work, such as the tensions between faith-based and areligious organizations, or between those who are survivor-activists and those who are not. It captures the complex dynamics present in interorganizational collaboration in response to a social problem, including a discussion of power, race, gender, and value orientations that inform collaborator perspectives, yet are often missing from the discussion. Drawing from her own experiences and those of many others in the field, Foot has pulled together a resource of tremendous value to professionals, practitioners, and activists that are engaged in this work.” —Dr. Katherine R. Cooper, Associate Director of the Network for Nonprofit and Social Impact, Northwestern University

“Based on my experience managing several multisector partnerships for Microsoft, Dr. Foot’s suggestions for improving collaborations are spot on. Since every business has a role to play in ending human trafficking, everyone in the private sector—and especially technology companies engaged with this issue—should read this book.” —Rane Johnson-Stempson, Director, Microsoft Research Outreach

“Collaborating against Human Trafficking gave me greater insight into the forces at play that both foster and disrupt the partnerships I work with on a daily basis. Dr. Foot’s nuanced examinations about race, gender, and survivor leadership are of vital importance for everyone working in this field.” —Dr. Mar Brettmann, Executive Director of Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking

“Foot has done a great service to the anti-trafficking movement here in the U.S. and around the world: She compellingly articulates what we’ve done right and where we’ve failed in using collaboration to end slavery. She calls out the inherent and often self-defeating power dynamics that emerge in collaborative settings—in particular, the pervasive and often systemic marginalization of trafficking survivors. This book invites leaders in the anti-trafficking movement to acknowledge and challenge the power dynamics, embrace the collaborative tensions, and seize the massive opportunities inherent in collaboration to achieve the outcome of advancing lasting human freedom. It is an essential read for everyone dedicated to ending modern day slavery.” –Jesse Eaves, Policy Director, Humanity United, and former Senior Child Protection Policy Advisor, World Vision U.S.

“Incredibly well-written and beautifully-organized; this exploration of collaboration in the anti-human trafficking space is the kind of book that every academic should write, but that very few do write. Foot’s narrative is logical and intuitive, with incredible signposting throughout. She interjects interesting real-world examples that excite even the expert reader. It won’t simply be a classroom tool, but rather a guide to making the world a better place. It will make a huge difference to those trying to end human trafficking: real-world activists, journalists, policy-makers, police associations, survivors, church groups, women’s rights groups and so on. It is empowering because it lays out the ‘what’ of effective multi-sector partnerships, but also and more importantly, the ‘how’ and the ‘why.’” —Dr. Greg Goodale, Associate Dean, College of Arts, Media & Design, Northeastern University

“As a donor, the anti-trafficking space can feel like a confusing maze of organizations and networks doing inspiring work on some slice of the problem. Well-intended efforts to collaborate all too often hit invisible walls that feel overwhelming to surmount. Dr. Foot takes the reader beyond the platitudes and good intentions of collaboration to look with an open mind and heart at the all too familiar obstacles, differing underlying values and objectives, and structural patterns that invisibly stymie effective partnership. Her painstaking research is impressive from a social science perspective, yet is deeply accessible to a non-academic practitioner in the field. This is a worthy read for anyone seeking to do the hard yet critically important work of moving beyond the rhetoric and good intentions of collaboration to truly build effective human and organizational bridges, to heal our world, and to free it from the grip of enslavement.” –Emily Nielsen Jones, Co-Founder/President, Imago Dei Fund

“Although the idea of collaboration is worthy and necessary, the challenges often derail even the most committed and prepared practitioners. Kirsten Foot’s book provides a reflective look inside the mechanics of collaboration. In the anti-trafficking world, the stakes are high. If we do not find effective paths to cooperation; victims will not be .found and resources will be squandered. Collaborating Against Human Trafficking is like having the cheater’s map for a video game that shows all of the obstacles along the way. It is useful for students in the classroom who will gain a deeper understanding of principles before entering the field, as well as for veteran practitioners who will nod their heads with recognition. The insight and tools will guide communities in building stronger networks that better serve the very people that need us to work together, victims of modern day slavery and trafficking.” –Dr. Sandra Morgan, Director, Global Center for Women and Justice at Vanguard University and host of the Ending Human Trafficking podcast series

“A unique and crucial perspective on anti-human trafficking efforts Collaborations are the key to effectively addressing human trafficking domestically and internationally, as well as for securing funding for new and existing anti-trafficking coalitions. Foot replaces what has seemed like a mix of magic and luck with a more tenable roadmap for initiating and sustaining multi-jurisdictional alliances. Applying the insights from this book in new or existing collaborative efforts will enrich these partnerships and will mature coalition-building from magic to art form. This book serves as a practical reference for crafting more effective and sustainable collaborations against human trafficking —and making the end of slavery a more achievable reality.”  –Derek Marsh, Deputy Chief, (Ret.), Westminster Police Department, CA, and Co-founder of the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force

“As a Program Officer for a family foundation that invests in counter-trafficking efforts, I have heard—and made—numerous appeals for more partnership and collaboration among counter-trafficking stakeholders. However, until reading this book, I had not encountered much helpful insight or advice for making collaboration actually work. Kirsten Foot’s in-depth research uncovers and explains the inevitable tensions and dynamics that make collaboration so difficult; instead of naively wishing those difficulties away, she challenges anti-trafficking stakeholders to reflect on why these tensions exist and recommends attitudes and practices necessary to overcome them in pursuit of more effective solutions. Practitioners, policymakers, and donors serious about improving collaborative efforts will benefit from reading this book.” –Jeremy Floyd, Program Officer, Equitas Group

“I’m inspired! The ideas in this book are very timely for the deep review we are giving our organization after seven years of collaborating to stop human trafficking. Foot’s discussion of motives and values and how they affect collaboration are especially helpful. She provides good examples from which to learn.” —Betty R. Edwards, Chair, Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado; recipient of the 2015 Jane Addams Award for Outstanding Service from the Midwest Sociological Society

“This book brilliantly documents the trials and tribulations that law enforcement and NGOs experience. In addition to insightfully identifying collaboration challenges, it will help improve partnerships by educating participants of any human trafficking task force—whether it is just starting or has already been working together—on what it takes to work together well. I highly recommend Foot’s work for everyone embroiled in or researching the issues surrounding collaboration to end human trafficking.” –Detective Sergeant Jon Daggy, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Human Trafficking Vice Unit

“If we wish to come to grips with the multifaceted, multidimensional and multisectoral global crime of trafficking in human beings, we will do well to consider the key elements addressed in this book: collaboration, cooperation, and coordination. Foot’s study of collaboration dynamics reveals the underlying causes that combine to shape approaches and responses in combating human trafficking. Her analysis of collaboration and coordination is relevant in many places beyond the U.S. and her insights and recommendations should be read by everyone involved in countering human trafficking.” –Dr. Helga Konrad, Coordinator of the Regional Implementation Initiative on Preventing & Combating Human Trafficking and Executive Director of Anti-Trafficking at the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM), and former first OSCE Special Representative and Chair of the EU Stability Pact Task Force on Human Trafficking for Southeastern Europe

“Foot provides adept observations of multisector collaboration in initiatives to counter trafficking-in-persons. She hits the nail on the head in regard to how individual values, hopes, and fears, as well as power, race, gender, and other dynamics influence the ability to collaborate effectively, professionally, and equally. Hard truths of collaboration are explored in an honest and helpful way. This book is a useful and much needed resource for those in every sector working to address human trafficking.” –Kathleen Morris, Program Manager, Washington Anti-Trafficking Response Network, International Rescue Committee in Seattle

“This book gives insights, models, and tools for success in partnering strong to end modern slavery. While we must serve with compassion at the margins, we also must also work together to recreate community. I highly recommend the book and what it is calling us to do—and how to be—in collaboration.”  –Rev. Kevin Austin, Director of the Set Free Movement, Free Methodist Church, Wesleyan Holiness Consortium Freedom Network

“This book is long overdue for the anti-trafficking movement! A well-researched, deeply thoughtful, and practical framework for collaboration which offers insights for all those working in this movement and beyond. After more than a decade of running a coalition with collaboration as a central value and daily activity, I have seen that some of the most challenging partnerships have turned out to have some of the most strategic and significant results. Successful collaboration not only affects the lives of those we work with, but in the process also challenges and changes us—as people and as professionals—for the better. This book is an excellent resource for those looking to explore and understand more fully the pitfalls and potentials of building robust partnerships.” –Helen Sworn, Founder & International Director, Chab Dai Coalition, Cambodia