Human trafficking: voices and experiences of female victims

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Qualitative research: Human trafficking in the voices of its victims

In the recent debate over illegal immigration, a crucial component of the issue is often forgotten, namely the persistence of human trafficking amongst the flow of illegal bodies across the nation's borders. According to the ICE (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, "in its worst manifestation, human trafficking is akin to modern-day slavery. Victims pay to be illegally transported into the United States only to find themselves in the thrall of traffickers. They are forced into prostitution, involuntary labor and other forms of servitude to repay debts -- often entry in the United States. In certain cases, the victims are mere children. They find themselves surrounded by an unfamiliar culture and language without identification documents, fearing for their lives and the lives of their families" (Human trafficking, 2013, ICE). In other scenarios, the situation may be more ambiguous -- the individual may have some freedom of movement to come and go, but may be manipulated by fear by their 'employer' to work for free or to work under degrading conditions. The legally vulnerable position of victims often makes them afraid to seek legal redress, for fear of being sent back to untenable circumstances. Also, their loved ones may be threatened with violence if they speak out (Villa & Collom 2005).

Background of the study

As Hepburn & Simon (2013) note, the victims of human trafficking are disproportionately female, reflecting the fact that "forty-three percent are trafficked for purposes of commercial sexual exploitation" while "32% are trafficked for the purposes of forced labor" (Hepburn & Simon 2013: 2). The sex industry, 'sweatshop' garment industries, and the need for nannies and domestic labor have been implicated as having a significant impact in driving the forces of human trafficking in the past and the need for female labor is characteristic of these underground segments of the shadow economy.

Problem statement

How and why do women become the victims of human trafficking?

Theoretical or conceptual framework

The fundamental conceptual basis of the study is a feminist one, which suggests that gender discrimination and disempowerment, combined with a lack of opportunities for women in many developing world countries makes women uniquely vulnerable to becoming victims of human trafficking. Female concerns such as a desire to please authority and protect the family may be used to psychologically manipulate women under the thrall of traffickers to ensure complacency.

Nature of the study

This qualitative case study will solicit 10 women who are confirmed victims of human trafficking and ask them questions through a process of semi-structured interviews (with a translator if necessary) about their experience. The small nature of the study is designed to illuminate the experience and mentality of