Academic Journal Articles
2024
Moton, L., Merken, S., Slakoff, D., Aujla, W. Trans-Neutrality in Intimate Partner Violence Service Provision in the USA and Canada. Critical Criminology, 31(4), 1007-1023. doi.org/10.1007/s10612-024-09748-6
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Abstract: Trans women have distinct dynamics in abusive relationships that cisgender women may not experience (e.g., purposeful misgendering). Therefore, it is important that IPV service providers recognize the unique needs of trans women to provide appropriate care. We draw on data from a larger study employing an online open-ended survey with a hypothetical vignette depicting a trans woman experiencing IPV (Merken et al., 2023). Responses from 75 IPV service providers in the USA and Canada indicate that many respondents aim to “treat everyone equally” regardless of gender identity, but may do so based on the constraints of their organization. Drawing on colorblind racial ideology, we discuss the harms of generalized IPV service provision, or what we term trans-neutrality. We argue this perspective has harmful consequences for trans women seeking assistance and call for more structural support for service providers to implement sustained trans-inclusive IPV provision. Implications for IPV policy and practice are discussed.
2024
Slakoff, D., Aujla, W., Moton., L., Merken, S. “There are Not Enough Lawyers, and There are Not Enough Financial Resources”: Canadian and American Intimate Partner Violence Service Providers’ Perspectives for Better Supporting Immigrant Women Survivors. Crime & Delinquency. 00111287241248103.
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Abstract: Immigrant women are at a high risk of intimate partner violence (IPV) and experience many challenges to help-seeking. Currently, little is known about IPV service providers’ perspectives for better supporting immigrant women within their agencies. Drawing on an intersectional framework, constructivist grounded theory (CGT) with a modified written vignette technique was employed. Online surveys were used to gather service providers’ perspectives on the vignette, which described an immigrant woman experiencing IPV. Responses from over 50 IPV service providers in the U.S. and Canada indicated the need for enhanced training to aid immigrant survivors. Further, several respondents recommended changes to the immigration/legal systems, as well as more resources for community outreach and language, legal, and housing support.
2023
Moton, L., Dank, M., Yu-Hsuan, L., Hughes, A. Forced Begging and Selling among Children in Kampala: An Exploration of Lived Experience. Journal of Human Trafficking. DOI: 10.1080/23322705.2023.2247922
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Abstract: Children and youth in Uganda are susceptible to forced labor. To gain insight into their lived experiences, we employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods framework, administering 530 surveys then interviewing a subset of 36 survey takers. Through the lens of child standpoint theory, we examined participant demographics, type of work and entry points, abuse, and help seeking/barriers to leaving. Key findings include the following: 1) Participant demographics were largely males under 17 years; 2) parental death and socioeconomic strain in the home led to participant’s vulnerability to forced labor; 3) participants frequently begged and/or sold food or goods, collected scrap metal, bottles, or plastic; 4) employers (exploiters) were mostly parents, other family members, or others that children encounter in Kampala; 5) abuse ranged from physical, sexual, verbal, financial and psychological at the hands of employers, individuals on the streets, and authorities; and 6) participants avoided reporting abuse to authorities for lack of trust, fear of employer, or unawareness of how/where to report. We argue for child/youth- centered research and the training of stakeholders on youth and children’s rights and protections, more funding for child welfare programming and the institution of mandated laws, policies, procedures, resources, coordination and enforcement mechanisms aimed at reducing child forced labor.
2023
Piza, E., Moton, L. Proactive monitoring, crime reporting, and operator discretion: A systematic social observation CCTV control room operations. Journal of Criminal Justice. 86, 102071.
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Abstract:
Background: Research on police discretion indicates a host of legal and extra-legal factors can impact officer decision making. The emergence of video surveillance technologies has made certain police interactions with the public more remote in nature. Decisions to enforce the law, consequently, now commonly begin outside of the context of face-to-face police/citizen interactions. This study explores police decision-making in the context of proactive video surveillance operations.
Methods: Data were generated from a systematic social observation of CCTV operator activity during the Newark CCTV Directed Patrol Experiment. Regression models tested how covariates affect the duration of CCTV operator targeted surveillances and CCTV operator decisions to report incidents providing reasonable suspicion and/or probable cause for a police response.
Results: A range of model covariates significantly influenced CCTV operator decision making, inclusive of surveillance targets identified as prior suspects, the CCTV site being within a commercial area, visible obstructions impeding camera view, CCTV operator rank, and CCTV operator gender.
Conclusions: Findings suggest that organizational culture, CCTV operator characteristics, and land usage of target areas may foster differential surveillance behavior across CCTV operators. As remote strategies for policing continue to expand internationally, the identification of factors that impact discretionary practices is critical.
2023
Merken, S., Slakoff, D., Aujla, W., Moton, L. Navigating Biases and Distrust of Systems: American and Canadian Intimate Partner Violence Service Providers' Experiences with Trans and Immigrant Women Clients.Victims & Offenders. 18:1, 141-168, DOI: 10.1080/15564886.2022.2136319.
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Abstract: To date, very little is known about intimate partner violence (IPV) service providers’ experiences serving trans and immigrant women (IPV) survivors and their barriers in reporting and/or accessing formal services. Employing constructivist grounded theory, two vignettes were constructed – one featuring a trans woman and the other an immigrant woman, both seeking IPV services. American and Canadian IPV service providers responded to open-ended survey questions about both scenarios, resulting in several emergent themes including, but not limited to: service provider biases, shelter conflicts, and distrust of systems. Policy implications and future research are also addressed.
2022
Blount-Hill, K., St. John, V. J., Moton, L., & Ajil, A. In their experience: A review of othered experience in academe and proposals for building an inclusive criminology. Race and Justice. Vol. 12(3), 457-480. DOI: 10.1177/21533687221087352.
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Lead article for special issue: Anti-Racism and Intersectionality in Feminist Criminology
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Abstract: Feminist criminologists were pioneers in highlighting that academics’ standpoints (i.e., their social and societal positionalities) influence which “objective” truth they tell. Testimonies, the sharing of one's story, can provide important angles to our understandings of social phenomenon, including of life in the academic sphere. In the present work, we introduce our conceptualization of “inclusive criminology” as a framework for integrating criminological inquiry into a cohesive whole which asserts societies’ rights to valid and complete knowledge as requiring inclusion of previously marginalized identities. In response to this requisite, we conduct a review of published testimonial narratives within criminology and criminal justice (CCJ) as well as a sample of works from other social sciences to inform recommendations on how to meet this inclusive aim.
2021
Colvin, R. & Moton, L. Lesbian police officers: A review of television portrayals and their lived experiences. Public Integrity, 23(3), 253-268. DOI: 10.1080/10999922.2020.1794267.
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Abstract: This exploratory research considers television’s portrayals of lesbian police officers from the first known character in 1986 through the present. We examine the degree to which depictions of lesbian police officers on television advance or hinder social equity in law enforcement.
Selected Book Chapters, Technical Reports, & Essays
2023
Pfeffer, R., Barrick, K., Dank, M., Tibuaduiza, E., Scalise, P., Yu, L., Hughes, A., Grossman, R., Moton, L. Understanding What Works in the Successful Identification, Investigation, and Prosecution of Labor Trafficking Cases in the United States. National Institute of Justice. Technical Report.​
2023
Moton, L., Blount-Hill, K. Inclusive Criminology: Embracing a Comprehensive Scope of the Discipline. The Criminologist.
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Lead Article for March/April 2023 Issue.
2023
Merken, S., Moton, L. Luck Be a Lady: Misrepresentations of Lesbian Serial Killers in the Media. (Chapter 2). In Goldberg, A., Slakoff, D., & Buist, C. (Eds.), The Misrepresentation of Queer Lives in True Crime. Routledge.
2022
Moton, L. & Blount-Hill, K. “How bell hooks taught us to talk back: A love letter.” Race and Justice. 12(3). 618-619. DOI: 10.1177/21533687221101207.
2020
Dank, M., Vincent, K., Hughes, A., Moton, L., Liu, Y. The Prevalence and Scope of Sex Trafficking and Forced Begging and Sales in Kampala, Uganda. UYDEL Technical Report