Based on long-term ethnographic research, including documentary research, qualitative interviews and observations made at a Portuguese shelter for “sex trafficked women,” this paper explores the counter-trafficking apparatus questioning who benefits from it. The discussion explores the contrasts between an institutional commitment to constructing this apparatus and the actuality of procedural efforts purporting to support “trafficking victims.” The author argues that the higher goal of building a countertrafficking apparatus — in itself a political objective — limits the rights of “victims,” making processes that claim to be part of their protection de facto neo-liberal anti-political exercises in reenforcing bureaucratic state power.
Authors: Ella Cockbain & Helen Brayley-Morris Abstract Human trafficking and modern slavery are routinely framed as key threats facing society. Despite increased media, policy, and practitioner attention the evidence base remains underdeveloped...Read More
This study contributes knowledge about anti-trafficking faith-based and non-faith-based NGOs—how they compare in their goals and mission, why they do what they do, the care philosophies and services that they have, and how they can work together. ...Read More
This study for the European Commission focuses on due diligence requirements to identify, prevent, mitigate and account for abuses of human rights, including the rights of the child and fundamental freedoms, serious bodily injury or health risks, en...Read More
The Landscape of Sexual Exploitation of Children in South Africa is the result of a research collaboration led by ECPAT International to describe the context for sexual exploitation of children in South Africa. The project was a collaboration with t...Read More
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