Shani Bacy

Research Analyst

RTI International

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Location: HoustonTX

Educational Degree(s):
• Master's

Discipline: Social Work

Years of Experience: 11-20 years

Victimization Focus

• Child Trafficking and Exploitation
• Domestic and Family Violence
• Gun Violence
• Trafficking in Persons (Labor)
• Trafficking in Persons (Sex)

Special Populations

• Children
• Formerly incarcerated/justice-involved

Victim Research Expertise

• Community-based participatory research
• Needs assessment
• Program evaluation
• Qualitative studies
• Training and/or technical assistance

About the Researcher

Shani Bacy is a research analyst and training and technical assistance provider in the Victimization and Resilience Research Program in RTI's Justice Practice Area. She has more than a decade of experience in program development, community and stakeholder engagement, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and victim services. Ms. Bacy is an expert on human trafficking. Coming from a background in social work, she brings extensive knowledge in strategic partnerships, trauma-informed practice, and working with vulnerable populations. Her research interests include addressing human trafficking and violence. Currently, Ms. Bacy is involved in multiple projects, serving on research teams studying the health and wellness needs of minor sex trafficking victims and the intersection of intimate partner violence and firearms. She is currently the task lead for a project designed to improve economic empowerment programs for victims of violence and provides technical assistance to a federally funded state-level child trafficking response program and a project addressing harm reduction and substance use. Prior to joining RTI, Ms. Bacy developed and led non-profit programs in the Houston area serving victims of human trafficking. She has participated in and led working groups, coalitions, councils, and taskforces with the outcome of improving coordinated, multidisciplinary responses to human trafficking. She has been a featured expert speaker, trainer, and clinician providing psychotherapy services.