The Science (and Art) of Understanding Trafficking in Persons: Good Practice in TIP Data Collection (2019)
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This study identifies and explores good practice in TIP data collection in the areas of protection and prosecution, to inform and guide future anti-trafficking efforts. It begins by outlining what constitutes good practice in TIP data collection and the criteria to be considered in making this assessment (for example, data quality; relevance and usefulness; accessibility; timeliness; cost appropriateness; and attention to legal and ethical issues). The study then uses these criteria to examine current TIP data collection and research practices in different countries and regions, including the strengths and limitations of the various approaches. The study outlines five stages of TIP data collection – 1) design and planning; 2) data collection; 3) storage, maintenance and management; 4) analysis; and 5) use, presentation and dissemination – and explores the raft of issues that may arise at each of these stages as well as good practice examples at each particular stage. It draws on existing research and resources on TIP data collection, as well as the collective knowledge and experiences of TIP researchers, data collectors, TIP experts and trafficking victims globally to offer practical guidance, lessons and tools in how to implement TIP data collection efforts. The target audience of this publication is anti-trafficking professionals, organizations and institutions that are currently or are planning to collect TIP data.
Citation: Surtees, R., A. Brunovskis and L.S. Johnson (2019) The Science (and Art) of Understanding Trafficking in Persons: Good Practice in TIP Data Collection. Washington, D.C., United States: NEXUS Institute.
On the Frontlines: Operationalizing Good Practice in TIP Data Collection (2019)
These guidelines, based on lessons from past and current TIP data collection efforts, are for frontline staff from governments, international organizations (IOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who are engaged in TIP data collection. The guidelines are based on good practice and lessons from The Science (and Art) of Understanding Trafficking in Persons: Good Practice in TIP Data Collection and offer step-by-step guidance and checklists on how to conduct TIP data collection in a constructive and ethical way and in line with existing work and mandates.
Citation: Surtees, R., A. Brunovskis and L.S. Johnson (2019) On the Frontlines: Operationalizing Good Practice in TIP Data Collection. Washington, D.C., United States: NEXUS Institute.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND VENUE-BASED SAMPLING IN ADOLESCENT MALE SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION PREVENTION RESEARCH (2018)
Middle adolescent males are a difficult group to recruit for community sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention research. We describe a process of community engagement, and venue-based sampling of 14-17-year-old adolescent males, and compare rates of STIs and STI risk behaviors by venue. Community engagement consisted of (1) informational meetings with organizations; (2) participation in community meetings and events; (3) hiring community members as study personnel; and (4) an adolescent advisory board recruited from the community. Venues were identified and assessed at different times of the day and days of the week using a structured tool. At selected venues, males ages 14-17 years were invited to participate in a brief survey and provide a urine sample and an optional anal swab for DNA-based STI testing. The authors conclude that venue-based sampling is a feasible mechanism to target recruitment and enrollment adolescent males with high STI risk behaviors in community settings, with risk profiles varying by setting.
Citation: Ott, M., J. Campbell, T.M. Imburgia, Z. Yang, W. Tu and C.L. Auerswald (2018) ‘Community Engagement and Venue-Based Sampling in Adolescent Male Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention Research’, Journal of Adolescent Health, 62.
A COMPARISON OF RESPONDENT-DRIVEN AND VENUE-BASED SAMPLING OF FEMALE SEX WORKERS IN LIUZHOU, CHINA (2012)
To compare two methods for sampling female sex workers (FSWs) for bio-behavioural surveillance. We compared the populations of sex workers recruited by the venue-based Priorities for Local AIDS Control Efforts (PLACE) method and a concurrently implemented network-based sampling method, respondent-driven sampling (RDS), in Liuzhou, China. For the PLACE protocol, all female workers at a stratified random sample of venues identified as places where people meet new sexual partners were interviewed and tested for syphilis. Female workers who reported sex work in the past 4 weeks were categorised as FSWs. RDS used peer recruitment and chain referral to obtain a sample of FSWs. Data were collected between October 2009 and January 2010. We compared the socio-demographic characteristics and the percentage with a positive syphilis test of FSWs recruited by PLACE and RDS. Surveillance protocols using different sampling methods can obtain different estimates of prevalence and population characteristics. Venue-based and network-based methods each have strengths and limitations reflecting differences in design and assumptions. We recommend that more research be conducted on measuring bias in bio-behavioural surveillance.
Citation: Weir, S. et al. (2012) ‘A comparison of respondent-driven and venue-based sapling of female sex workers in Liuzhou, China’, Sexually Transmitted Infections, 88.
BENEATH THE SURFACE. METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES IN RESEARCH AND DATA COLLECTION WITH ASSISTED TRAFFICKING VICTIMS (2010)
This report focuses on approaches to collecting data about human trafficking that underlie a large segment of research produced since the UN Protocol and, in doing so, reveals some of the key reasons that research generally has not provided a clearer path to more effective action for policymakers and practitioners. It examines how current approaches to the collection and use of data about human trafficking, while helpful for certain purposes, fall short of what will be needed to achieve a new generation of higher quality research and analysis capable of helping to produce transformative results in addressing human trafficking.
Citation: Surtees, R. and S. Craggs (2010) Beneath the surface. Methodological issues in research and data collection with assisted trafficking victims. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Migration and Washington, D.C.: NEXUS Institute.
IOM Guidelines for the Collection of Data on Trafficking in Human Beings, Including Comparable Indicators (2009)
The lack of reliable and comparable data on trafficking in human beings remains one of the main obstacles in effectively preventing and combating trafficking in human beings as well as protecting and assisting victims. The Guidelines for the Collection of Data on Trafficking in Human Beings (THB), Including Comparable Indicators were developed to create the necessary basis for an improved collection, comparison and sharing of data on THB. The Guidelines seek to enhance the capacity of the national authorities to collect and share data as well as to contribute to EU-wide efforts to enhance data collection and to foster cooperation among EU Member States.
Citation: IOM (2009) Guidelines for the Collection of Data on Trafficking in Human Beings, Including Comparable Indicators. Vienna: International Organization for Migration and Federal Ministry of the Interior of Austria.
Anti-Trafficking Data Collection and Information Management in the European Union – A Handbook (2009)
This handbook is intended for the government institutions responsible for the collection, analysis and presentation of victim-centered data and trafficker-centered criminal justice data. It provides the practical tools needed to collect the two data sets and provides an overview of the victim-centered and the trafficker-centered criminal justice data sets – including the range of information to be collected; standardized methodologies and data collection processes; and common terminology for collecting this information from a wide range of data sources. The handbook also aims to equip national data repositories with some basic skills in the collection, analysis and presentation/dissemination of data sets, in accordance with legal, security and ethical parameters at a national and EU level. The handbook offers guidelines to be adapted at a national level in response to the national context and individual country’s needs.
Citation: Surtees, R. (2009) Anti-Trafficking Data Collection and Information Management in the European Union – A Handbook. Washington, D.C.: NEXUS Institute and Vienna: ICMPD.
Handbook on Anti-Trafficking Data Collection in South-Eastern Europe: Developing Regional Criteria (2007)
This handbook is a practical tool to guide the implementation of victim-centered and trafficker-centered databases. This handbook was developed in the context of achieving regional criteria for countries in South East Europe. Part 1 outlines information relevant to this data collection project – particularly the objectives and framework of the work. Part 2 maps out the data collect methodology and relevant legal and ethical issues as well as reporting obligations. The handbook then (in parts 3 and 4) provides step-by-step guidance in terms of each type of database being implemented under the project, including a detailed description of each indicator. Part 5 discusses issues related to data quality and analysis, while part 6 provides resources on data collection as well as information about data collection initiatives in Europe by governments and international organizations. Part 7 provides the practical tools (i.e. MOUs, glossary, consent forms, confidentiality agreement and question templates) for the implementation of data collection according to the developed criteria.
Citation: Surtees, R. (2007) Handbook on Anti-Trafficking Data Collection in South-Eastern Europe: Developing Regional Criteria. Washington, D.C.: NEXUS Institute and Vienna: ICMPD.
Estimating Human Trafficking into the United States: Development of a Methodology (2006)
The purpose of this study was to develop and fully document methods to estimate the number of females and males trafficked for the purposes of sexual and labor exploitation from eight countries (Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, and Venezuela) into the United States at the southwest border. The decision to limit the regions of interest for this study to the eight countries of origin and to one entry point into the United States was based on reported trafficking activity in the eight countries of origin, data limitations, and the need to focus the scope of work to a demonstration project. This research represents the first phase of a two-phase project and provides a conceptual framework for identifying potential data sources to estimate the number of victims at different stages in trafficking; develops statistical models to estimate the number of males and females at risk of being trafficked for sexual and labor exploitation from the eight countries, and the number of males and females actually trafficked for sex and labor; incorporates into the estimation models the transit journey of trafficking victims from the eight countries to the southwest border of the United States; designs the estimation models such that they are highly flexible and modular so that they can evolve as the body of data expands; utilizes open source data as inputs to the statistical model, making the model accessible to anyone interested in using it; presents preliminary estimates that illustrate the use of the statistical methods; and illuminates gaps in data sources.
Citation: Clawson, H., M. Layne and K. Small (2006) Estimating Human Trafficking into the United States: Development of a Methodology. Wahington, D.C.: Caliber.
DATA AND RESEARCH ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING: A GLOBAL SURVEY – Introduction (2005)
Earlier versions of the papers in this volume were initially prepared for a conference held in Rome in 2004, organized by the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Research Division and hosted by the Government of Italy. One of the aims of this conference was to take stock of current research on trafficking after a decade of substantial growth in the number of publications on the subject. The Rome conference discussed a number of key issues related to trafficking research, including questions such as, what are the strengths and weaknesses of current research on trafficking? How can research and data on trafficking be improved? Most of the papers in this volume present a broad overview of current research and data on trafficking in particular regions of the world. Nine of the articles focus on specific regions and three of the articles explore issues relating to research methods.
Citation: Laczko, F. (2005) ‘Introduction’ in Data and Research on Human Trafficking: A Global Survey. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Migration.
Describing the Unobserved: Methodological Challenges in Empirical Studies on Human Trafficking (2005)
In this paper we will discuss the production of various types of data on human trafficking, analyse existing data and research, and suggest methods for improving enhanced data collection techniques and developing new methodologies. We will focus both on the development of estimates of victims of trafficking, as well as the production of data that describes the characteristics of this group. The discussion will be based on a review of publications on trafficking for sexual exploitation in Europe, as well as our own experiences from the study “Crossing Borders”, on transnational prostitution and trafficking in Oslo. During our research we found some answers, but also met with several questions and challenges relating to obtaining the best possible quality of data.
Citation: Tyldum, Guri and Anette Brunovskis (2005) ‘Describing the Unobserved: Methodological Challenges in Empirical Studies on Human Trafficking’ in Data and Research on Human Trafficking: A Global Survey. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Migration.
Methodological Challenges in Research with Trafficked Persons: Tales from the Field (2005)
This article is intended to discuss methodological challenges to conducting research with trafficked persons in the United States. It draws from my experiences as an anthropologist involved in an ongoing book project on life after trafficking.1 By exploring the methodological difficulties and ethical concerns that I have faced as an anthropologist, I hope to lay bare some of the methodological challenges that researchers across disciplines, particularly social scientists who rely on ethnographic research, are likely to confront when examining this issue. The central focus of this article is on the possibilities of collaboration between academic researchers, trafficked persons, and social service providers on advocacy, research and writing projects, as well as on the possibilities of trafficked persons speaking and writing for themselves. It also considers the role trafficked persons can play in building what the media and activists loosely term the “anti-trafficking movement” and asks what would have to happen for them to move beyond their “victim” status where they are called upon to provide “testimony” about trafficking, to participating in the decision making of the direction of the movement. Since it identifies obstacles to trafficked persons (to whom I refer to in this article as ex-captives) taking the podium and picking up a pen, it explores ways to mitigate potential problems when researchers “speak for” ex-captives.
Citation: Brennan, D. (2005) ‘Methodological Challenges in Research with Trafficked Persons: Tails from the Field’ in Data and Research on Human Trafficking: A Global Survey. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Migration.
Designing Trafficking Research from a Labour Market Perspective: The ILO Experience (2005)
Until recently, the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) knowledge base on trafficking in human beings consisted mainly of reports reviewing the implementation of relevant Conventions in member states. Trafficking-related information was also obtained through numerous studies of the ILO International Migration Branch, though often not framed explicitly as research on human trafficking. The growing international interest in the illegal movement and exploitation of human beings has led to new and innovative research within the ILO, covering various issues such as child trafficking, irregular migration, and forced labour. However, the ILO’s new research programme initiated under the ILO Special Action Programme to Combat Forced Labour (SAP-FL) has commissioned a dozen studies on trafficking and other forced labour outcomes of migration, and has also published training, legal, and other information material in this field. The ILO is particularly well placed to develop a better understanding of the labour dimensions of human trafficking. The bulk of the existing literature focuses on trafficking for sexual exploitation of women and children. While this has helped develop clearer definitions and uncover the mechanisms of trafficking, it only presents a partial picture. The starting point of ILO/SAP-FL was that trafficking for labour exploitation is significant and under-researched. The following article aims to critically discuss methodologies used for the purpose of this research as well as “lessons learned” and preliminary results. Our main argument is that the trafficking paradigm presents a useful entry point to better understand some of the worst forms of exploitation existing in the world today. If too narrowly defined, however, it limits rather than enlarges our knowledge base on exploitation linked to the movement of people. This also has consequences for taking action to eliminate human trafficking. The following article starts with a brief discussion on the “state-of-the-art” in trafficking research. It then goes into more detail explaining the research design, some preliminary results and recommendations. Given the overall purpose of this publication the main focus is on methodological aspects.
Citation: Andrees, Beate and Mariska N.J. van der Linden (2005) ‘Designing Trafficking Research from a Labour Market Perspective: The ILO Experience ‘ in Data and Research on Human Trafficking: A Global Survey. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Migration.
Review of Research and Data on Human Trafficking in sub-Saharan Africa (2005)
The focus of this paper is four-fold: (1) to present an overview of the main features of trafficking, its dynamics, and its root causes in SSA; (2) to review current research on trafficking in the region, focusing in particular on the methodology used and the extent to which findings of these studies can be generalized nationally; (3) to identify the ways in which governments have responded to human trafficking; and (4) to outline gaps in knowledge and suggest a range of research themes that could help enhance understanding of the dynamics of trafficking in the region.
Citation: Adepoju, Aderanti (2005) ‘Review of Research and Data on Human Trafficking in Sub-Saharan Africa’ in Data and Research on Human Trafficking: A Global Survey. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Migration.
Treading along a Treacherous Trail:Research on Trafficking in Persons in South Asia (2005)
This paper presents an overview of research on trafficking in persons in South Asia. The trend of trafficking is on the rise, but the existing knowledge base is inadequate for a full understanding of the phenomenon at the regional level. The paper is based on secondary data and analysis of existing literature on trafficking in South Asia.
Citation: Masud Ali, A.K.M. (2005) ‘Treading along a Treacherous Trail:Research on Trafficking in Persons in South Asia’ in Data and Research on Human Trafficking: A Global Survey. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Migration.
Human Trafficking in East Asia: Current Trends ,Data Collection and Knowledge Gaps (2005)
This paper examines the general trends in human trafficking reported in East Asia from rather disparate sources, identify the main issues and problems raised in the existing information sources, and discuss data collection, research activities, and knowledge gaps. East Asia includes the People’s Republic of China (hereafter referred to as China), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China (SAR), Macao SAR, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (hereafter North Korea), Japan, Mongolia, and the Republic of Korea (hereafter South Korea), according to the classification of world regions in the UN International Migration Report 2002. However, Taiwan Province of China (POC), Macao SAR, and Mongolia are not discussed beyond occasional mention, as data on these areas are almost non-existent.
Citation: Lee, June J.H. (2005) ‘Human Trafficking in East Asia: Current Trends, Data Collection and Knowledge Gaps’ in Data and Research on Human Trafficking: A Global Survey. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Migration.
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