The Irina Project
The Irina Project (TIP), based at the UNC-Chapel Hill Hussman School of Journalism and Media, monitors and analyzes media representations of sex trafficking and provides resources for accurate and responsible coverage of the issue.
We know that the way media frame an issue affects how the public (including policymakers) think about and act on that issue, and that’s why we’ve made media our primary focus. Since 2009, TIP has advocated for responsible media representation of trafficking by synthesizing the expertise and experiences of multiple communities: journalists, survivors, scholars, direct-service providers, healthcare and non-profit professionals, and others. Through research, web-based resources and training, TIP supports accurate and responsible storytelling strategies that incorporate knowledgeable sources, contextual range and depth, and reliable data.
Together, we can change the way the world talks about, thinks about and responds to sex trafficking.
Recent Blog Posts
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Human Trafficking, Chattel Slavery, and Structural Racism: What Journalists Need to Know
By Chris Croft, Prevention Education Program Manager, and Robin Colbert, Associate Director, of the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCCASA) Definitions and Context In many parts of the world today, human trafficking is referred to as “modern-day slavery,” and … Read more
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Emergent Space as a Strategy for Journalists Covering Human Trafficking
By Montia Daniels, Contributing Writer Journalists have a unique ability to gain the trust of individuals and encourage them to tell their stories. However, it isn’t always easy. Stories related to trauma and harm, like human trafficking, can be especially … Read more
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The Irina Project (TIP) condemns March 16 shootings in Atlanta
The Irina Project (TIP) condemns the March 16 shootings at three Atlanta massage businesses and mourns their victims: Xiaojie Tan, 49; Daoyou Feng, 44; Hyun Jung Grant, 51; Soon Chung Park, 74; Suncha Kim, 69; Yong Ae Yue, 63; Delania … Read more
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We Need to Talk About the Super Bowl
By Emily Hagstrom, Contributing Writer If there’s a point at which we can count on media to cover human trafficking in the United States, particularly sex trafficking, it’s in the days leading up to Super Bowl Sunday. I’d wager that … Read more
Human Trafficking, Chattel Slavery, and Structural Racism: What Journalists Need to Know
By Chris Croft, Prevention Education Program Manager, and Robin Colbert, Associate Director, of the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCCASA) Definitions and Context In many parts of the world today, human trafficking is referred to as “modern-day slavery,” and … Read more
Emergent Space as a Strategy for Journalists Covering Human Trafficking
By Montia Daniels, Contributing Writer Journalists have a unique ability to gain the trust of individuals and encourage them to tell their stories. However, it isn’t always easy. Stories related to trauma and harm, like human trafficking, can be especially … Read more
The Irina Project (TIP) condemns March 16 shootings in Atlanta
The Irina Project (TIP) condemns the March 16 shootings at three Atlanta massage businesses and mourns their victims: Xiaojie Tan, 49; Daoyou Feng, 44; Hyun Jung Grant, 51; Soon Chung Park, 74; Suncha Kim, 69; Yong Ae Yue, 63; Delania … Read more
We Need to Talk About the Super Bowl
By Emily Hagstrom, Contributing Writer If there’s a point at which we can count on media to cover human trafficking in the United States, particularly sex trafficking, it’s in the days leading up to Super Bowl Sunday. I’d wager that … Read more