An interventional study of Trafficking Prevention Education for Youth and Mindfulness Training in Commercial Sexual Exploitation, sponsored by University of New Hampshire. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 13 Years to 17 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-03-31.
Sponsored by University of New Hampshire · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention
Although the exact scope of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) remains unknown, its significant negative physical and emotional consequences for children has been well-documented. The U.S. government recognized the need for improved CSEC prevention over two decades ago and recent legislation has been introduced to further increase funding for prevention programs. However, there is little evaluation research to guide communities on best practices, and questions remain about how to most effectively approach primary prevention for CSEC.
This study involves a randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluation of the Not a Number (NAN)- a CSEC prevention program. NAN, developed by the non-profit organization Love 146, is delivered nationally with a unique train-the-trainer model in Minnesota to reach youth at heightened risk for CSEC victimization.
The RCT will be conducted at 32 implementation sites (15 youth enrolled as participants per site, N=480), with sites randomly assigned to an implementation or a wait-list control condition. We will examine a range of program outcomes, including a reduction in CSEC victimization (primary outcome), through a pre-test/post-test design (follow-up data collection at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months).
A two-arm cluster randomized controlled trial study is planned with an aim of enrolling 480 youth (13-17 years old) to participate from 32 partner agencies (approximately 15 youth per agency). Subjects will be enrolled from 4 cohorts of 6-10 implementation sites in each of four waves quarterly over a year (for a total of 32 sites). Each cohort of six to ten agencies per wave will be systematically paired using agency-level characteristics such as size and youth client demographics. Each agency in a pair will then be randomly assigned to either an implementation condition or a wait-list control condition.
Youth at agencies in the implementation condition will be provided with the Not a Number (NAN) program immediately after baseline measurement, with youth at the wait-list control sites offered a 30-minute mindfulness training program (placebo condition) and an opportunity to receive the program six months later.
Youth at all sites will be provided with information about the study and invited to participate by key contacts at each partner agency. We will work with each partner site to identify optimal strategies for approaching youth and legal guardians about the study given their population of youth, their programmatic structure, and their relationship with families. All caregivers and youth will be informed that participation in the study is voluntary and that all youth who can participate in the NAN program at their agency may do so, regardless of whether they have caregiver consent or provide assent to participate in the research component.
Youth who have caregiver consent, and provide their informed assent to participate, will be enrolled in the study. Using contact information provided to researchers, youth enrolled at all participating agencies will be sent a link by email or text (their preference) to a secure online survey hosted at UNH (Qualtrics). The links will be unique to each youth. Links to surveys will be sent as a text message or email with a generic sounding title (e.g., UNH Teen Survey).
Survey links will be sent to youth at four time points: 1) Prior to any program administration for implementing sites (Baseline survey); 2) Approximately six-weeks after baseline survey administration (and following program administration for implementation site youth) (Six-week follow-up survey); 3) Six months after baseline survey administration (Six month follow-up survey); and 4) Twelve months after baseline survey administration (Twelve-month follow-up survey). Each survey will be designed to take the youth approximately 30 minutes to complete. Youth will be provided with a $20 gift card (e.g., for a locally accessible store like Target or an online store like Amazon) for each survey completed.
Youth from wait-list control condition sites will have the opportunity to receive the NAN program between the six-month and one-year follow-up surveys, providing additional program information on shorter-term outcomes for these youth, while also allowing for longer-term follow-up data on program impact for other youth.
University of New Hampshire is the lead sponsor of 15 studies on the registry; 4 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
The Not a Number (NAN) trafficking prevention program was developed by the non-profit, anti-trafficking program Love 146. It is an interactive, 5-module curriculum developed for youth ages 12-18, designed to help prevent youth human trafficking and exploitation by: 1) providing information on human trafficking and exploitation; 2) teaching youth to recognize recruitment tactics and understand vulnerability; 3) practicing refusal skills with youth that can help them avoid or reduce risk; 4) identifying healthy support systems; 4) teaching skills to navigate potential and existing exploitative situations; and 5) increasing youth awareness of community helping resources. The developers worked to integrate components associated with effective prevention programs generally, including varied teaching methods, sufficient dosage, opportunities for positive relationships, and developmental and socio-cultural relevance.
Behavioral: Trafficking Prevention Education for Youth
Youth in control condition groups will receive a 30-minute mindfulness training program designed by one of the research staff members.
Behavioral: Mindfulness Training
The Trafficking Prevention Program involves 5 60 minute lesson modules
30 minute mindfulness training program for youth designed by research staff
commercial sexual exploitation victimization
Measurement of the key outcome of interest is collected via survey questions. A single question was designed to capture the outcome in the survey: ● Have you traded sex or sexual activity for money or other items of value? The item is embedded in a larger scale developed by the team to capture general exposure to commercial sexual exploitation.
Time frame: prior six months
No study locations are listed for this record.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Mar 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
University of New Hampshire