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Sex trafficking is a prominent human rights issue that has been increasingly associated with the hosting of large-scale sport events. Despite insufficient evidence demonstrating a causal or correlative link, event stakeholders have implemented antitrafficking efforts in attempts to prevent and promote awareness of sex trafficking. Using Google Trends data to measure audiences' information-seeking behavior online and Twitter data as a proxy for antitrafficking efforts on social media, we employed a difference-in-differences approach to estimate the change in online demand for sex-trafficking information among the residents of Miami-Dade, the host city of Super Bowl LIV (54). Findings highlight an increase in the online demand for sex-trafficking information in the host city during and after the event. This increased demand attributed to the Super Bowl may offer support for host communities utilizing sport events to promote awareness of pressing social issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectivesHuman trafficking (HT) is a public health issue, with adolescents disproportionately at risk for reasons spanning multiple biopsychosocial domains. We explored youth HT survivors' healthcare barriers, experiences, and needs.MethodsIn this qualitative multi-methods study, 24 participants (≤26 years old) with HT experience receiving services from non-profit organizations in San Diego, California completed an electronic survey and were invited to participate in online interviews. Thematic analysis for interview responses was performed using constant comparative methodology. Authors created codes and connections between codes, and refined findings by discussion.ResultsAll participants endorsed labor trafficking, 96% endorsed sex trafficking and 46% reported seeing a health care professional (HCP) while exploited. Nine survey respondents completed follow-up interviews: 100% endorsed labor and sex trafficking and 44% seeing a HCP. Interview participants' barriers to presenting to healthcare and receiving needed help were categorized into patient-focused - lack of awareness of exploitation and medical needs, emotional bonds to the trafficker, and misperceptions about their ability to obtain care); vs healthcare system-focused - negative experiences and need for consistency with HCPs, and desire for targeted resources and effective care.ConclusionsBarriers to healthcare for trafficked youth included factors the healthcare system could change versus those that could be reduced with universal patient education. Participants named lack of legal guardian support and proof of insurance as barriers to healthcare access while being exploited. Participants noted conventional mental health interventions for recovery are not appropriate and lack survivor-led guidance; participants offered alternatives about how they would receive effective care.

Since the so-called 'migrant crisis' in 2015, there has been intense policy interest around irregular migration along the Central Mediterranean Route to Europe. Despite increased research focus on this route, the details and geographical intricacies of these migration journeys have scarcely been examined. In this study, we investigate the what, where and how of the journeys of 71 people who travelled from Libya across the Mediterranean Sea to Malta. To do so, we break down their journeys into scripts (i.e. sequences of activities) and represent them as a composite script graph. We find that journeys were long – 18 months on average – and circuitous, involving diverse and complex geographical paths. Smuggling, brokerage and working during transit were key aspects of most journeys. Worryingly, two-thirds of participants experienced detention and/or forced labour before reaching Malta. By pinpointing where and how harm occurs, the composite script graph can support policy makers in reducing harm, including by accounting for the possible harm that interventions may cause, directly or as a result of displacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human trafficking and 'modern slavery' cover a wide, varied and poorly delineated range of exploitative practices. Yet, conflating different issues risks obscuring important variation. The geographies of trafficking are surprisingly under-researched, particularly quantitatively. Informed by opportunity theories, we examined geospatial and demographic concentrations in trafficking and related exploitation formally identified in the United Kingdom (UK) over the decade 2009–2019. Taking an exploratory approach, we analysed individual-level data for 26,503 people officially identified as suspected or confirmed victims. Our results reveal a highly complex landscape that likely reflects multiple and intersecting contributing factors, including both systemic drivers and more immediate opportunity structures. Alongside considerable variation overall, we found heavy geographic and demographic concentrations – and notable interactions between variables. Our study emphasises the importance of disaggregation for analysis and responses and underlines the complex systems involved. Limitations notwithstanding, this novel analysis shows the value of large-scale, context-sensitive research into the geographies of trafficking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploitation and human trafficking in sex markets tend to include both online and offline spaces. Understanding the scale, complexity and geography of networks is important in policing human trafficking and online escort adverts are often used to identify organised crime in this context. This article aims to make a methodological contribution to how data relating to online networks in the sex market can be collected and analysed. Through the application of web scraping, social network analysis and principal component analysis, the digital traces of 15,016 online networks operating on an adult services website were analysed in relation to their complexity and geographical patterning. The findings suggest that structural and geographical characteristics are useful for understanding the heterogeneity of online networks. Analysing networks, as opposed to assessing escort adverts, offers a more robust approach to understanding the sex market, which is more sensitive to the continuum of experiences encapsulated therein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a historical analysis of the Sentosa nurses, a group of nurses recruited from the Philippines in 2005 and 2006 to work in a health-care facility on Long Island, New York. The international nurse recruitment company that hired them underpaid them, assigned them to work in unsafe conditions with low nurse-to-patient ratios, and breached other parts of their contracts with the nurses. When the nurses decided to resign and break from their contracts early, the recruitment company retaliated, initiating civil, administrative, and criminal charges against the nurses. The Sentosa nurses' story reflects that by the end of the first decade of the 2000s, the international nurse recruitment industry grew not only in size, but also in power, leaving internationally-educated nurses vulnerable to exploitation. More recent reports from 2019 of the labor trafficking of internationally-educated nurses are not new. Instead, a historical perspective reveals an ongoing pattern of deceptive practices and informs recommendations for stricter policies that ban recruiters from using liquidated damages provisions or breach-of-contract fees to trap nurses in exploitative work environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black, Native American, Latinx, Asian, and Pacific Islander women all have histories of sexual violence in the United States. Their historical victimizations have set a precedence for contemporary commercial sex victimization. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of "race" in sex trafficking. Data from 50 women with sex trafficking histories resulted in three candidate themes and five subthemes that include (a) sex trafficked women (White women, Black women vs. White women, and all women with unique subthemes related to drug use and locations); (b) Black male traffickers; and (c) Black and White male customers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating organised human trafficking criminality is neither easy nor straightforward. Among the complexity is the need to balance and secure multiple, and often competing, investigative goals. Using case studies of actual human trafficking investigations in England, the present exploratory study provides insights into the tensions between safeguarding victims while also (at the same time) building up evidence against those who exploit them in order to secure a successful prosecution. Findings reveal that factors associated with the assessed level of risk of victims, the intelligence available at the start of the investigation and police resources (balanced with opportunities and risk to secure the investigative goals) influence the investigative approach followed and strategies implemented, particularly those aiming to engage with victims. The exploratory findings illustrate the importance of intelligence in risk assessment and decision-making processes during police operations, but also the need to conduct yet further research on risk assessment within the context of human trafficking investigations to inform policy and decision-making policing practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article introduces a special issue on co-creating knowledge in development studies, stemming from a conference held in Sweden. It highlights the importance of diverse perspectives in understanding development and addresses challenges within the discipline. The text discusses the impact of recent changes in funding for education and research in Nordic countries, emphasizing ongoing collaboration and research in global development topics. The special issue features articles that explore various aspects of co-creating knowledge in development studies, focusing on topics such as development aid, cash transfers, and human trafficking in Southeast Asia. [Extracted from the article]

This article examines how the legal framework of human trafficking, as established by the UN Palermo Protocol and shaped by the US Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), gains traction in Cameroon. It focuses on the power dynamics among key actors leading the anti-trafficking campaign in Cameroon and how this affects their efforts to combat trafficking. The actors are broadly classified into two groups: external partners, including the UN, the US, and international organizations, and internal partners, such as the Cameroonian government and local civil society organizations. The study draws on the concept of traveling models and their "aura" as developed by Behrends, Park, and Rottenburg and is based on ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Cameroon between 2016 and 2024. The findings reveal tension between the two core elements of the Palermo Protocol—humanitarian and security considerations—as actors involved in anti-trafficking efforts tend to prioritize one element over the other. This highlights the significance of power dynamics and strategic alliances, with Cameroonian stakeholders often seeking to adapt the framework to local contexts. The article also relates to the special issue's overarching question of how attempts at increasing equality often contribute to generating durable inequality. It shows how measures aimed at preventing human trafficking, particularly of women, inadvertently lead to them resorting to even riskier migration routes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution explores how cultural religious beliefs and practices of the Trokosi institution engender vulnerability to the recruitment of girls into bonded life, sexual and labor exploitation, and trafficking in Ghana. Here, trafficking and exploitation are conceptualized at three levels: (a) the family level where young girls are taken away from home through deception, false promises, abduction, threats, or coercion and moved elsewhere (e.g., from rural areas to towns); (b) intra and inter-community transfers; and (c) moving women and girls through marriage arrangements organized within the Trokosi ("slaves of the gods") practice. The girls are often deceived about the destination, or their transfers are carried out through forced marriage arrangements. The above practice of transferring girls from one place to another and their sexual and labor exploitation fall within the UN Palermo Protocol definition of human trafficking and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 29, respectively. This study therefore aims to enhance our understanding of how the underlying patriarchal power relations and violence against women, underpinned by traditional religious beliefs and practices in the Trokosi institution, perpetuate bondage, labor, and sexual exploitation and aid trafficking of children and young women among the Ewe communities of Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeMaterials and methodResultsDiscussion and conclusionHuman trafficking survivors’ successful social reintegration is of paramount importance. However, survivors found it difficult to build their lives in Bangladesh upon return. The specific challenges encountered by Bangladeshi trafficking survivors remain underexplored, particularly regarding individual, socio-cultural, and systematic factors. We aim to investigate the obstacles survivors encounter during social reintegration by examining survivors’ experiences, and subjective perspectives of experts and social workers who provide life-skill and vocational training to survivors.This qualitative study intends to gather in-depth insights by conducting 40 semi-structured interviews with the key stakeholders, including survivors, experts, and service providers.After thematically analyzing the qualitative data, the study denotes that survivors encountered several challenges to social reintegration, including social stigmatization, victim blaming, family rejection, limited access to essential support services, economic hardship, health issues, and difficulties in relationships. Notably, social reintegration is more challenging for female survivors than for male survivors in Bangladesh due to the widespread misconceptions about sex work and trafficking.Our findings contribute to the literature by offering new insights regarding previously underexplored challenges to social reintegration, highlighting significant gender differences in social stigmatization and systematic barriers like the scarcity of essential support services. Finally, the article puts forward actionable implications for social workers and policymakers in developing targeted interventions to foster survivors’ successful social reintegration in Bangladesh, ultimately contributing to achieving the UN SDGs, especially Goals 1 (No Poverty), 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 5 (Gender Equality), and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened socio-economic vulnerabilities, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities and amplifying the risks associated with human trafficking. This paper examines the pandemic’s impact on human trafficking trends in India and the United States, focusing on shifts in vulnerabilities and victim profiles during and after the pandemic period. By employing rigorous selection criteria, the review synthesizes a robust dataset from the Counter Trafficking Data Collaborative (CTDC), to provide an understanding of the issue. Data on trafficking is complemented with a critical analysis of existing legislation, including India’s Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and the US’s Trafficking Victims Protection Act, and evaluates their efficacy in addressing the dynamic challenges posed by the pandemic. Through a comparative approach, this study underscores the necessity for adaptable strategies and innovative solutions, offering insightful policy recommendations tailored to the specific contexts of India and the US, with broader implications for global anti-trafficking efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines human trafficking (HT) allegations and subsequent juvenile justice (JJ) involvement. We used longitudinal, statewide, linked administrative data from the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to investigate predictors of JJ involvement following an HT allegation. We conducted (1) logistic regression models to identify youth characteristics, prior DCF experiences, and prior DJJ experiences that predict JJ referral following an HT allegation and (2) a survival analysis to identify time until JJ referral following an HT allegation. Significant predictors of JJ involvement following an HT allegation include being age 11–17, male, Black, and non-Hispanic; prior neglect, physical abuse, missing-child events, and a number of JJ referrals prior to the alleged trafficking. This research informs the JJ system's approach to child trafficking victimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sex trafficking of domestic minors remains a major problem despite the many laws designed to protect them. This risk has expanded to an unprecedented scale through the Internet and social networks. However, there are no reliable data on prevalence. The authors carried out an umbrella review of the literature on the risk of sexual exploitation among young people by conducting a narrative analysis of the six most recent literature reviews. A strong congruence among sociodemographic, economic, and family factors was identified. The review was useful in highlighting the complexity of the process of recruitment and retention in prostitution, and in reflecting on protection strategies for young people. There is a debate about whether girls are at greater risk than boys, but all authors agree that the age group most at risk is young people aged 12 to 14. However, no author links this to their adolescence, or considers the impact of this phase of development on the potential risk behaviors of these young people. The main finding of contemporary studies is the negative involvement of intermediary institutions such as schools and welfare services. However, these authors did not use these data in their recommendations. This should be a priority in future prevention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human trafficking has historically been exploited for political purposes and to reify social hierarchies. Popular media and conspiracies such as QAnon have reinforced many of these myths about human trafficking. As reproductive rights have continued to be contested in the U.S. with the overturn of Roe v. Wade, the term 'abortion trafficking' has been introduced to leverage fears related to trafficking and unify opposition to abortion access. This article considers how 'abortion trafficking' reflects a tradition of laminating human trafficking onto polarizing discourse frames. Utilizing Goffman's conception of lamination in his work on frame analysis, identification of how 'abortion trafficking' has been manifested in popular discourse is identified. Implications of the effects of such laminations on theory and popular sentiment are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The criminal policy against Human Trafficking in Ecuador and Peru is compared, based on the plans for 2030 and the role of social networks in the criminal pattern. We observed that the Ecuadorian plan is characterized by a strong sociological vision, which places the problems of the social structure (such as rurality and inequality) as the causes of crime, and because of it, they conclude that the improvement of social conditions would lead to the Trafficking reduction. On the contrary, the Peruvian plan warns about the need to build situational criminal policies oriented towards criminal opportunity and criminal patterns, as suggested by the UNODC. However, the structural sociological approach prevails over that Plan when it is translated into a protocol of action that ignores it. The relevance of each formulation is discussed, in light of the criminological evidence, and it is noted the precarious role assigned in both countries to social networks, as a common pattern in the beginning of crime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Transformations of European Welfare States and Social Rights: Regulation, Professionals, and Citizens" in the Modern Law Review explores the evolution of welfare rights in European countries through the lens of framework law. The anthology delves into the delegation of responsibility within welfare systems and the impact of neoliberalism and austerity on welfare state transformations. The chapters examine macro, meso, and micro levels of change, highlighting issues such as deservingness, welfare law functions, and encounters between welfare professionals and citizens. The collection emphasizes the role of intermediaries and social networks in helping marginalized groups access their rights and navigate legal processes within the welfare system. [Extracted from the article]

Baird and Conolly's systematic review on North American domestic minor sexual exploitation claimed that the literature most frequently identifies the internet as the initial site of contact. However, in my analysis of their sources, only three of the seven identified studies indicated that the internet was the site of initial recruitment, three studies did not have enough information to make a determination, and one study did not identify the internet as the site of initial recruitment. For the papers that did cite the internet as the initial site of recruitment, most identified the internet as among the least frequent locations of initial recruitment. The internet is not the most frequent location of initial recruitment and correcting this error is important because prevention programs that focus on raising awareness of risks may lead youth to develop a false sense of safety offline and contribute to the moral panic of youth risk online. Rather, prevention programs should focus on healthy relationship skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on what the author has termed children's 'dark pictures' to explore how children' and young people express themselves visually and verbally about difficult issues—such as violence, death and trafficking. Two pictures created by children and young people about the UNCRC, and the interviews accompanying these pictures, are analysed as examples of the commonness of 'dark' issues emerging even when they are given assignments emphasising 'lighter' issues. The potential of children's and young people's dark pictures to comment on and challenge, how difficult issues are communicated with children by adults and society is explored with the help of socio‐cultural and relational approaches to pictures. The article proposes the notion of dark visuality to highlight the critical potential of children's and young people's engagement with darkness through visual means and propose that their expressions can be understood as societal critique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Familial trafficking is a form of human trafficking that refers to the trafficking being perpetrated by family members. While more research is available on familial sex trafficking, minors have also been exploited in other forms of human trafficking, such as labor trafficking (e.g., in manufacturing, agriculture, domestic servitude, begging, and criminal activities). The involvement of family members varies and may consist of ongoing exploitation. At the same time, the child lives at home or a decision to "sell" the child to traffickers in exchange for money, debt reduction, drugs, and more. Historically, there has been evidence globally of various practices that could today be defined as familial trafficking. The reasons behind familial trafficking are complex and related to several factors, such as culture, community, and individual characteristics of each family member. The framework of risk factors frequently used in human trafficking studies can shed some light on the driving forces of familial trafficking. The consequences of being trafficked by a family member are delineated, and treatment considerations are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research is to analyze the impact that global civil society organizations (CSOs) have in the prevention, care and fight against human trafficking. The research was carried out using the multi-case study method. Six CSOs were analyzed: The A21 Campaign; Coalition to abolish slavery & trafficking; Stop the traffic: people shouldn't be bought or sold; International Justice Mission: End Slavery in Our Lifetime; Polaris Project; and Free the slaves. In the first phase, a documentary methodology was used, based on the use of annual reports of the CSOs investigated, academic articles, data and information existing on the official portals of the CSOs, international organizations and government pages. The second phase was qualitative, through semi-structured interviews with CSO managers and academic experts. The main direct actions carried out by CSOs have to do with: medical, psychological support and accompaniment to victims; social reintegration and settlement programs for surviving victims; operation of shelters, shelters and homes for protection and rehabilitation for victims; legal advice to victims; training, identification and prevention campaigns; education through social platforms; public talks and testimonials; awareness workshops; national and international attention and complaint lines; technological applications for anonymous reporting; and digital georeferencing of human trafficking routes for the use of authorities. While advocacy actions are related to: legislative advocacy: co-sponsorship of laws, review and support for the creation or modifications of laws; collaboration with international organizations, private institutions and other CSOs; participation in government councils and committees; participation in intergovernmental and inter-institutional meetings; participation in regional forums; creation of work groups; and peaceful marches and protests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human trafficking affects nearly 1.1 million persons in the United States. Over 50% of victims will receive care in an emergency department (ED) during their exploitation. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a human trafficking protocol and electronic medical record screening and assessment tool in identifying victims of human trafficking in the ED. Methods: A 5-year, retrospective chart audit was conducted. Results: Over 2 million ED visits occurred during the 5-year study period. Less than 1% (n = 525) of those patients screened positive as potential victims, while 45 (8.6%) were confirmed trafficking victims. The number of victims identified dropped following the pandemic. Conclusions: Pandemic issues, staffing turnover, and lack of ongoing trafficking education impeded the identification of victims. Recommended changes to the protocol are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is increasingly understood that people with disabilities may be more vulnerable to human trafficking victimization than those without disabilities. This important line of scholarship has been, to date, informed by a small number of studies focusing mostly on minor females identified as having experienced sex trafficking. This study adds to the discourse by presenting findings from a larger study aimed at estimating the prevalence of labor trafficking victimization among construction workers in Houston, Texas, in which we also measured the presence of a disability among respondents. Though only a small number of respondents identified as having been diagnosed with a disability (n = 12), these respondents were more likely to have experienced labor victimization in their lifetime than other respondents who did not report having been diagnosed with a disability (n = 891). Other patterns in victimization experiences among respondents with a disability are explored, and considerations for differentiated opportunities for intervention and prevention are discussed. Lessons learned include the importance of measuring disability status in human trafficking research and a more careful consideration of how to capture and measure disability so findings can be meaningfully translated to preventive action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Millions of individuals are affected by human trafficking globally, and many of them experience long-term psychological and physiological health issues that remain largely unaddressed. This case study provides a brief overview of the most common long-term health challenges survivors of human trafficking face and the barriers they experience as they try to access services through the unique lens of a survivor. The importance of a healing-centered approach is introduced as a much-needed extension to the more widely used yet still underutilized trauma-informed processes in survivor care. Finally, the case study provides suggestions for future directions to understand and respond to the long-term health care and mental health needs of survivors after their trafficking experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the prevalence of neurodevelopmental, mental, or behavioral disorders among CSEC survivors, and the experiences of CSEC survivors with these disorders with health care. We conducted a self-report survey study with N = 269 youths between the ages of 13 and 24 years old who disclosed that they had experienced CSEC prior to age 18 in the United States. The vast majority, 82%, reported that they had ever been diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder or neurological impairment (i.e. ADHD, autism, intellectual disability, or learning disorder), a serious mental illness (i.e. schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder), a mood disorder (i.e. PTSD, depression, or anxiety), or a behavioral disorder (substance use, eating, or conduct disorder). Approximately 26% reported seeking healthcare while being exploited. Those with Serious mental illness (SMI) or behavioral disorder were more likely than other subsets of CSEC survivors to report poor mental and physical health, and negative experiences in the healthcare setting. Our findings have direct implications for efforts that align with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal of "promoting just, peaceful and inclusive societies," in that they provide support for the idea that health care providers will benefit from training in supporting human trafficking survivors with neurodevelopmental, mental, and behavioral disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persons with disabilities have historically been neglected in victimization research despite their recognition as a vulnerable population. As such, little is known about the consequences sex trafficking victims with disabilities may face as a result of the harms they endured. To expand knowledge in this important area, the current study used data from a national survey administered to adults in the general population. Out of the total sample, 204 individuals indicated they experienced sex trafficking victimization using behaviorally specific questions and the federal legal definition—approximately half of these respondents indicated they have a disability. Individuals who experienced sex trafficking were then asked about direct consequences following these experiences in five domains: (1) physical, (2) emotional/psychological, (3) social, (4) work/school, and (5) financial issues. Results demonstrated that compared to trafficking victims without disabilities, victims with disabilities were more likely to experience issues in each domain and to experience these issues for longer periods of time. Nevertheless, trafficking victimization was associated with serious issues for all victims regardless of their disability status. Given that sex trafficking victimization resulted in substantial harm across every domain for all victims, it will be important for future work to inform best practices for responding to these consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the paucity of research on sex-trafficking prevention education for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), this qualitative study aimed to determine service providers' (N = 22) perspectives regarding (a) topics and delivery methods to include in this programming, (b) factors that promote accessibility, and (c) challenges and recommendations associated with implementation. Individual interviews and focus groups were conducted using Zoom. For programming acceptability, participants identified challenges (e.g. misconception that individuals with IDD are asexual) and recommendations (e.g. teaching developmentally appropriate concepts in early childhood). For content and delivery, topics included consent, safety, and context/social rules. Tactical activities for self-care and sensory processing, and non-infantilizing, realistic visuals were recommended to improve accessibility. For systems involvement in disclosures and referrals, participants noted challenges (i.e. confusion about agency responsibility and information sharing) and recommendations (i.e. ensuring a clear and predictable disclosure process for youth). Findings can contribute to policy development, particularly in service provider training for responding to disclosures and clarifying funding allocation for school and community sex trafficking prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences and multiple identities of disabled BIPOC trafficked women. The findings from this study help to identify a carousel of victimization experienced by disabled BIPOC trafficked women, starting with adverse childhood experiences, onto trafficking victimization that differed between Black and White women, and later while seeking services. These findings highlight the need for providers and researchers to think beyond monolithic identities and consider the intersecting ways in which various forms of oppression (ableism and racism) influence the experiences of disabled trafficked BIPOC women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deaf populations have a significant vulnerability to sex trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children. Despite the presence of literature on the incidence of sexual abuse and other types of gender-based violence in Deaf communities, this topic has gone unresearched to date. This integrative review article provides an overview of the research on experiences of Deaf populations and sex work, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and other overlapping types of violence which often obfuscate victim identification. Additionally, the article summarizes findings from the literature and makes recommendations for practice in work with this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBackgroundMethodsResultsConclusionsHuman trafficking (HT) survivors are at risk for substance use disorder (SUD), although assessing the SUD epidemiology of HT survivors is difficult. This study used data from the 2019 to 2021 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample to estimate the prevalence of SUD for HT survivors utilizing emergency departments (ED) in the United States of America (US).We included visits for patients aged 12–64 years with any International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes documenting HT as a cause of morbidity (N = 1,688, SE = 141) or history of HT (N = 2,524, SE = 218). We estimated the prevalence of HT-related visits with SUD, associations between SUD and trafficking type, and demographic variation by SUD.Any non-nicotine SUD was frequently documented among patients with HT as a cause of morbidity (37.64%, n = 635) and for patients with any history of HT (42.42%, n = 1,071). SUD was more frequently documented in cases of sex trafficking (43.47%, n = 579) relative to labor trafficking (15.79%, n = 56) (p < 0.001). Having any non-nicotine SUD was associated with higher rates of hospitalization for ED visits with HT as a cause of morbidity (53.31% [n = 339] vs. 12.39% [n = 130]; p < 0.001) and for those with a history of HT (76.78% [n = 822] vs 50.43% [n = 733]; p < 0.001).HT patients presenting to the ED have high rates of SUD and HT patients with SUD having a greater likelihood of hospitalization. ED clinicians can play an important role in supporting SUD recovery among HT survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the heterogeneity of migrant visibility across space and time, analysing where and how Eritrean forced migrants travelling along the Central Mediterranean Route are made visible or disappeared at various scales and how their (in)visibility is mobilised by other actors for profit. We point to three heterogeneous forms of (in)visibility—hypervisibility, invisibilisation and selective visibility—that frame, justify and help perpetuate a system of migrant exploitation, extortion and human trafficking. Drawing from three tranches of interviews with human trafficking survivors and migrants from Eritrea, government officials, suprastate actors, CSO employees and other stakeholders in Sudan, Libya and Ethiopia conducted between March 2021 and April 2022, we explore the dynamic interplay between representation and policy in the experiences of vulnerable migrants. We develop the term constructive (in)visibility to describe the ways in which migration governance visibilises Eritrean migrants in aggregate as threats, commodities and victims, while simultaneously invisibilising them as individuals and rights bearers. Policy responses to the hypervisibility of the ‘crime’ and ‘magnitude’ of irregular migration leave migrants vulnerable to a chain of predatory actors who see and know irregular migratory routes. Selectively deployed and leveraged borders allow profiteers to benefit from the restrictions on mobility and limitations on protections of irregular migrants, while international investments in restrictionist, externalised migration policies finance actors involved or complicit in migrant smuggling and human trafficking. The mutually reinforcing cycle of constructive (in)visibilisation and repressive policy thus facilitates the establishment of what we define as a trafficking industrial complex—a necrocapitalist market in migrants—that profits from their abandonment, exposing them to abduction, extortion and death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In 2023, Tennessee replaced $6.2 M in US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention funding with state funds to redirect support away from men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender women (TGW), and heterosexual Black women (HSBW) and to prioritize instead first responders (FR), pregnant people (PP), and survivors of sex trafficking (SST). Methods We used a simulation model of HIV disease to compare the clinical impact of Current, the present allocation of condoms, preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and HIV testing to CDC priority risk groups (MSM/TGW/HSBW); with Reallocation , funding instead increased HIV testing and linkage of Tennessee-determined priority populations (FR/PP/SST). Key model inputs included baseline condom use (45%–49%), PrEP provision (0.1%–8%), HIV testing frequency (every 2.5–4.8 years), and 30-day HIV care linkage (57%–65%). We assumed Reallocation would reduce condom use (−4%), PrEP provision (−26%), and HIV testing (−47%) in MSM/TGW/HSBW, whereas it would increase HIV testing among FR (+47%) and HIV care linkage (to 100%/90%) among PP/SST. Results Reallocation would lead to 166 additional HIV transmissions, 190 additional deaths, and 843 life-years lost over 10 years. HIV testing reductions were most influential in sensitivity analysis; even a 24% reduction would result in 287 more deaths compared to Current. With pessimistic assumptions, we projected 1359 additional HIV transmissions, 712 additional deaths, and 2778 life-years lost over 10 years. Conclusions Redirecting HIV prevention funding in Tennessee would greatly harm CDC priority populations while conferring minimal benefits to new priority populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the characteristics of criminal associations committing crimes in surrogacy with a view to its further use in the detection and investigati on of these torts. Customers of services in the field of criminal commercial surrogacy are primarily foreigners (citizens of France, Italy, Germany, China, and other countries, including those with a prohibited surrogacy regime). Members of criminal associations specializing in commercial surrogacy use secrecy measures to prevent their exposure and prosecution for human trafficking and other criminal offenses: conceal information about the surrogate mother's fictitious marriage to a foreign client, about the presence of a common biological child; communicate in closed groups (for example, in the Viber messenger); prohibit surrogate mothers from informing third parties about the onset of pregnancy, participation in the surrogacy program, registration with doctors to monitor the course of pregnancy, etc. The victims of the torts under study are persons who are in a vulnerable state due to a combination of difficult life circumstances and voluntarily agree to participate in commercial surrogacy programs but may be subject to coercion in the future. Organizers of surrogacy crimes may include persons who establish and manage medical centers (e.g., hold the position of director). The members of criminal organizations that commit these torts are primarily persons working in medical services, lawyers, translators, and persons with connections to customers. Other persons (e.g., medical professionals, lawyers) may be involved in these criminal activities who do not have information about the criminal purpose of the criminal organization since the line between legal and criminal surrogacy is insignificant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectivesMethodResultsConclusionThis article features results of a qualitative research conducted with twenty-nine men and women responsible for Alzheimer’s cafés in Italy, on the topic of ethical issues in dementia care. The goal was to identify the sources of moral distress for caregivers, exploring some bottom-up solutions that have been implemented shared with others in informal settings.During the in-depth interviews participants shared about challenges and opportunities related to dementia care and ethics, informed by the symbolic interactionist approach to the theory of social representations.The analysis of interviews resulted in identification of six main themes, each with some sub-themes: awareness, personhood, social connectedness, isolation, access, and institutional dimension.The results pointed out the importance of culturally appropriate approach and advocacy for tackling ethical issues, especially in the light of morally wrong egregious abuse of persons with dementia (as related by participants), which can be classified as benefits trafficking, a form of human trafficking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Studies have shown that Emergency Department physicians have little to no training in recognizing and supporting victims of human trafficking despite being uniquely situated to identify and intervene on behalf of these patients. We assessed if screening for human trafficking was being completed by emergency physicians in three Saskatoon emergency departments. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients presenting to three Saskatoon emergency departments deemed to potentially be at risk of human trafficking, based on discharge diagnosis. Of the 223 included charts, data extracted included sex, age, ethnicity, chief complaint, diagnosis, disposition, HT Screening (Y/N), specific quotes relating to HT, time of visit, intimate partner violence (Y/N), and travel history. Both quantitative and qualitative thematic analyses were conducted on this data. Results: None of the charts (0%) included in this study had any documentation around screening for human trafficking. Furthermore, 21.1% of the high-risk patient charts included in this study -- which included many patients with a discharge diagnosis of sexually transmitted disease or pelvic inflammatory disease -- did not contain a documented sexual history. Thematic analysis revealed that the patients included in this study frequently had challenges with sexual health, substance use, and houselessness. Conclusion: This study found that Emergency physicians in Saskatoon were not routinely screening for human trafficking. Implementation of further training is needed to help these physicians recognize and subsequently support potential victims of human trafficking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Female child welfare-involved youths who are removed from the home are at risk of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). The aim of this study was to develop a prediction model to identify those at greatest risk of trafficking. Methods: Data were from the Florida Department of Children and Families' Florida Safe Families Network Database. A Cox proportional hazard regression of 60 cases and 3857 controls generated the proposed risk model. Results: Factors found to be associated with a higher risk of trafficking were quantified into point scores, generating the Welfare-Involved Female Sexual Exploitation Risk Assessment (WISER) tool with a cutoff of 20 points: first out-of-home placement at ≥15 years of age (11 points); run away from home in past year and age <15 years (40 points) or ≥15 years (16 points); English spoken as other language (14 points); on a psychotropic drug (17 points); congregate first placement (14 points); runaway/abducted status first "placement" (16 points); psychiatric facility experience (9 points); residential facility experience (7 points); and no time in temporary shelter (9 points). Of those who experienced CSEC, 92% had a WISER score above 20. Discussion: The WISER tool achieved good discrimination and calibration ability with a receiver operating characteristic for the validation data set of 0.923. The WISER tool can (1) inform risk assessment for CSEC among child welfare-involved females and (2) identify youths at greatest risk before they are harmed by trafficking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews the available literature to address a fundamental question concerning the impact of intersectional discrimination on women during their post-trafficking reintegration. The problem under examination involves two conceptual terms: 'intersectionality' and 'reintegration'. We scrutinise the existing literature to understand the profound effects of multiple forms of discrimination on trafficked women during their post-trafficking reintegration by employing 'intersectionality,' a theoretical framework introduced by Crenshaw (1989). We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature, identifying articles published in English between 2010 and 2021. The articles included in our review either reported on original research or were conceptual studies focusing wholly or partially on the trafficking of women and the intersectional challenges they face during reintegration interventions. Our review presents compelling findings that highlight the influential role of intersectional identity on the rights of trafficked women, contributing to systemic discrimination against them during their long-term reintegration. Regarding outcomes, this article proposes a comprehensive solution for long-term reintegration, addressing a variety of needs, including therapeutic intervention, economic sustenance, gender-sensitive healthcare, and social inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Child trafficking is a clear violation of human rights, robbing minors of their fundamental entitlements. These encompass the right to personal identity, familial bonds, cultural heritage, access to healthcare and proper nourishment, education, freedom of speech, and the assurance of safety and security. Children and young people, given their inherent vulnerability and limited access to support networks, frequently struggle to safeguard themselves effectively. This predicament presents traffickers with opportunities to exploit and manipulate them. Therefore, it is essential for professionals across various sectors—including education, healthcare, protective and social services, as well as the justice system—to undergo comprehensive training and be integrated into a robust social protection system. This preparation should equip them to conduct screenings, accurately assess needs, and adhere to international guidelines when addressing cases of child trafficking. Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the child-centered anti-trafficking approaches employed by Italy and Turkey, situated along migration pathways in the Mediterranean region and experiencing significant regular and irregular migration flows in recent years. Both nations fall within the classification of southern European welfare regimes. Methodology: This research specifically delves into the social protection policies aimed at children and young victims established by these two countries. Carried out between 1 February 2020 and 20 May 2021, this study employed a semi-structured interview approach, conducting qualitative in-depth interviews in both Italy and Turkey. This research targeted experts from various disciplines engaged in combating human trafficking in both countries, with a total sample size of 46 participants, comprising 15 experts from Italy and 31 from Turkey. Grounded theory formed the basis of the study, with data analyzed using the MAXQDA 2020 Pro Analytics program, employing a multidisciplinary and empowerment approach. Results: The analysis yielded 2942 codes, 17 sub-themes, and four main themes. The study identified four main themes: (i) characteristics of child victims and vulnerable child groups, (ii) services provided to at-risk groups and child trafficking victims within the current national counter-trafficking framework, (iii) challenges encountered in delivering services to children and young individuals, and (iv) recommendations for establishing an effective and child-centered protection system. Discussion and Conclusion: It is imperative to ensure that victims of child trafficking have access to comprehensive social protection measures. It has been noted that both Italy and Turkey offer various services to victims of child trafficking, including in-kind and -cash social assistance, free legal aid, shelter services, access to education and healthcare, as well as prevention, awareness, and advocacy programs. However, there are also differences between the two countries in certain aspects. Recommendations aimed at addressing these differences can be developed by adhering to the minimum standards outlined in the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite extant literature on individual-level risk factors for sex trafficking among children and adolescents, little is known about the impact of social and ecological contexts on risk of human trafficking victimization. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlates signaling risk of human trafficking victimization at the individual, family, social, and community levels utilizing a sample of 40,531 justice-involved male and female youth, a small fraction of whom were suspected or verified victims of human trafficking between 2011 and 2015 (N = 801, including 699 female and 102 male youth). Using this sample, we examined differences across individual, family, social, and community characteristics of youth involved in the juvenile justice system who have a history of trafficking victimization and youth without such histories. Series of logistic regression analyses were conducted using varying control groups, created through exact matching and randomized matching groups to address sample imbalances. These analyses indicate that, at the individual level, youth who had experienced childhood adversities were more likely to report human trafficking victimization. Sex differences were found regarding risk factors pertaining to the family and broader socio-ecological contexts. Female youth who had witnessed family violence had an antisocial partner or antisocial friends, or resided in a community with a greater proportion of the population being foreign-born or speaking English less than very well were at heightened risk for human trafficking victimization. Little evidence was found for community-level risk factors of victimization in this specific sample of justice-involved youth. These findings encourage more research to unpack the multilevel correlates of victimizations at the individual, family, social, and community levels, recognizing potential differences between female and male youth regarding the factors that put them at heightened risk for juvenile sex trafficking victimizations. Practice and policy should direct awareness and prevention measures to social and ecological contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]