Victim Researcher Profile

BIO

Dr. Celia Williamson is a Professor in the Social Work department at The University of Toledo and Executive Director of the Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute. Dr. Williamson’s research focus has been in the area of human trafficking, with particular attention to domestic minor sex trafficking. She has published numerous articles, has delivered over 200 presentations and been the keynote speaker at more than 20 conferences. She also studies prostitution, vulnerable women, and drug abuse. She founded the first anti-trafficking program in Ohio in 1993. Dr. Williamson has completed nine studies, 19 articles/reports, and edited two books on sex trafficking; and she has received federal funding from 2002 to 2012 to conduct research in this area. Additional accomplishments include founding the annual International Human Trafficking and Social Justice Conference and founding the Lucas County Human Trafficking Coalition. Dr. Williamson is chair of the Research & Analysis Subcommittee for the Ohio Attorney General's Human Trafficking Commission and is a founding member of the Global Association of Human Trafficking Scholars.

VICTIMIZATION FOCUS

Child Trafficking and Exploitation

SPECIAL POPULATIONS

Child victims

RESEARCH EXPERTISE

Community-based participatory research, Program evaluation, Qualitative studies

VICTIM RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Program evaluation, Qualitative studies, Quantitative studies