Christopher P. Carey, PhD, JD
Affiliation: Portland State University
Dr. Christopher P. Carey is an Associate Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Portland State University and a scholar-practitioner specializing in human trafficking, human rights, and global justice systems. With a JD and PhD, his work bridges law, policy, and community-based research, focusing on vulnerable populations affected by trafficking, migration, and structural inequality. Dr. Carey has led and contributed to human trafficking initiatives across South Asia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the United States, including projects funded by the U.S. Department of State and USAID.
A former Deputy District Attorney, he brings extensive legal experience to his research, including contributions to Oregon’s human trafficking statutes and applied work with law enforcement and service providers. His scholarship spans over two decades and includes early foundational work on trafficking and globalization, as well as recent empirical studies on commercial sexual exploitation of children, trafficking indicators, and system responses. His publications appear in outlets such as Child Abuse & Neglect and the Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights and Social Justice, among others.
Dr. Carey’s work is grounded in a human rights and public health framework, emphasizing community engagement, data-driven policy, and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve identification, prevention, and response to human trafficking globally.
Research Interests:
Human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation (CSEC)
Identification and intervention strategies within criminal justice systems
Vulnerable populations, including youth, migrants, and marginalized communities
Foster care systems and pathways to exploitation
Trafficking within confined and institutional settings (e.g., correctional facilities, detention centers)
Intersection of trafficking, migration, and displacement
Data-driven tools for law enforcement and service providers
Community-based responses and harm reduction approaches
Legal frameworks and policy responses to human trafficking
Human rights–based approaches to prevention and intervention