Research
Make your research land in the real world.
Rethink Trafficking brings a rare combination to research support: peer-led programming experience, deep field exposure, and a reality-based approach to trafficking-adjacent work. We help teams ask sharper questions, avoid common framing traps, and produce findings that are credible, respectful, and actually usable—especially when the population is stigmatized, hard to reach, or routinely misrepresented.
This isn’t “research for research’s sake.” It’s research that strengthens practice.
What we help with
Stronger framing + definitions: keep the work accurate and grounded (and prevent category confusion)
Peer-informed design: pressure-test assumptions with lived reality so your study doesn’t miss the point
Recruitment + engagement that works: practical guidance for trust-building and ethical participation
Survey/interview guide review: tighten questions so the data comes back clear and interpretable
Interpretation with a practice lens: translate findings into what programs and partners can do next
High-impact outputs: briefs, exec summaries, slide-ready insights, and training-ready takeaways
Let’s build evidence that actually moves the field.
FAQ
What’s different about Rethink’s approach to research?
We’re reality-based and peer-informed. We help keep research grounded in clear definitions and lived context—so findings don’t drift into stigma, moral panic, or “paper-only” conclusions.
Why bring Rethink in if we already have an academic or evaluation team?
Because we complement them. We add field pattern-recognition, community credibility, and a practical lens that strengthens recruitment, interpretation, and the usefulness of outputs for programs and partners.
What kinds of research are you best suited for?
Projects where trust and framing matter: needs assessments, program evaluation, qualitative interviews/focus groups, community listening sessions, and research-practice partnerships—especially involving stigmatized or hard-to-reach populations.
How do you keep research accurate without sensationalizing trafficking?
We anchor the work in clear definitions, pressure-test assumptions, and prioritize language that’s respectful and precise—so you get data that’s cleaner and conclusions that actually help.
Can you help us reach participants who don’t trust systems?
Yes—that’s a core strength. We support engagement strategies that reduce friction, increase credibility, and protect participant dignity and safety.
What do you actually deliver?
Usable outputs: refined framing/definitions, edits to interview guides or surveys, recruitment + engagement recommendations, a synthesis memo, and clean public-facing materials (briefs, slides, talking points) that travel well.
Do you lead the research?
Usually we support it. We plug in where we add the most value—design, language, recruitment approach, interpretation, and translation—while your lead team owns the project.
Can you translate findings into practice and training?
Absolutely. Turning research into training-ready takeaways and program decisions is one of the main reasons teams bring us in.
