University of Texas at Arlington researcher Kathleen Preble is expanding her human trafficking research from Missouri to Texas, aiming to create a blueprint other states can use to address this growing problem.
Dr. Preble, an associate professor in UT Arlington's School of Social Work, recently received funds from the Healing Action Network for her project, titled "Coalition Against Trafficking and Exploitation—Phase 2."
"I'm excited to bring the work we started in Missouri to UTA," Preble said. "We're continuing to strengthen what we've done in Missouri but also creating a framework that other states—including Texas—can use to improve their response to human trafficking."
The project began when Preble was a faculty member at the University of Missouri, where nonprofits combined funds to study human trafficking.
Preble and her colleagues developed a comprehensive resource guide—known as CATE, Coalition Against Trafficking and Exploitation—with 34 service categories for Missouri. The effort filled gaps in evidence-based practices and informed the state's response to human trafficking. Now, the researchers are conducting a five-year follow-up study to update the needs assessment, strategic plan and asset mapping; conduct a new prevalence count; and measure the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We believe this process could serve as a blueprint for other states," said Preble, who returned to her alma mater, UTA, as part of its RISE 100 (Recruiting Innovative Scholars for Excellence) initiative.
Preble first encountered human trafficking while earning her master's degree at UTA in 2005. She worked for a refugee resettlement agency that handled trafficking cases. At the time, trafficking was seen largely as a foreign-national problem rather than one affecting U.S. citizens.
That view has shifted as trafficking has grown into a pressing U.S. problem. A 2024 Bureau of Justice Statistics report found that trafficking offenses referred to U.S. attorneys increased 26% from 2012–22.
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According to Texas Health and Human Services, the state has the second-highest number of reported sex trafficking cases among the 50 states, and Dallas is one of the top 10 cities nationwide for sex trafficking cases.
"The more involved I got, I began to develop a passion for working with survivors and have been studying trafficking ever since," Preble said.
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Preble also worked in a major Texas police department's special investigations unit, identifying trafficking survivors and holding traffickers accountable. She later returned to UTA, earning her doctorate in 2016.
She has since established herself as a leading researcher, providing data-backed solutions to strengthen the fight against human trafficking.
"Being back at UTA is like coming home. It's the perfect blend of social work practice and research," Preble said. "I loved practicing social work and miss being in the field, but I also love research and helping organizations find ways to enhance the great work they're already doing when it comes to human trafficking.
"Ultimately, it's all about helping survivors of trafficking get what they need and supporting organizations to do their work better."
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 41,000, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation's top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.
