Quality and Rigor in TIP research in the Mekong Region: Assessing the Evidence Base (2019)
Our knowledge of and responses to TIP must be informed and driven by high quality evidence – that is, technically robust and ethically rigorous research and program data. Weak or inaccurate evidence has the potential to distort our understanding of TIP and our ability to effectively design, implement and evaluate CTIP interventions. This research review explores the nature and quality of TIP research in five Mekong countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam), identifying key issues and challenges and making concrete recommendations on how to improve future TIP research and data collection.
Citation: NEXUS Institute (2019) Quality and Rigor in TIP Research in the Mekong Region: Assessing the Evidence Base. Washington, D.C., United States: NEXUS Institute.
EFFECTS OF SEX TRAFFICKING ON YOUTH AND IDENTIFICATION: A LITERATURE REVIEW (2018)
This literature review examined current research on the physical, psychological, and social effects of sex trafficking on youth, and how to identify youth who do not self-identify as victims of sex trafficking.
Citation: Hemmert, K. (2018) Effects of Sex Trafficking on Youth and Identification: A Literature Review. United States: Bringham Young University.
SEVENTEEN YEARS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING RESEARCH IN SOCIAL WORK: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE (2017)
The trafficking of persons around the world is a serious violation of human rights and manifestation of social injustice. It disproportionately affects women and children worldwide. Given the values of the social work profession and the prevalence of trafficking, it is essential to understand the current literature on human trafficking in social work journals. Using the PRISMA method, this systematic review (n = 94 articles) of human trafficking in social work journals found the following: more focus on sex trafficking than other forms of trafficking; a lack of a clear conceptualization and definition on the entire spectrum of trafficking; a lack of evidence-informed empirical research to inform programs, practice, and policy; and a dearth of recommendations for social work education. Specific implications for social work policy, research, practice, and education are highlighted and discussed.
Citation: Okech, D., Y.J. Choi, J. Elkins and A.C. Burns (2017) ‘Seventeen years of human trafficking research in social work: A review of the literature’, Journal of Evidence-Informed Social Work.
COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND SEX TRAFFICKING OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: A NARRATIVE REVIEW (2017)
A growing body of research addresses the issue of “commercial sexual exploitation of children” (CSEC) and “child sex trafficking.” These overlapping terms describe crimes of a sexual nature committed against children and adolescents that involve exploitation for financial or other gain. Existing literature demonstrates that commercially sexually exploited youth typically experience significant and ongoing trauma. The literature teaches that these youths have a unique set of health risks, including violence-related injuries, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy, and a variety of mental health problems. Though federal law defines these youth as victims of human trafficking, in many states, commercially sexually exploited children and adolescents are incarcerated for crimes related to their exploitation. Fear of incarceration can prevent victims from seeking available services. While health care providers may play a critical role in connecting commercially sexually exploited youth with community resources, most providers lack the knowledge of human trafficking necessary to fulfill this role effectively. Published research about this vulnerable pediatric population, although rapidly growing, is still extremely limited. Further research into the prevention, identification, intervention, and multidisciplinary management of CSEC and sex trafficking of children and adolescents is needed.
Citation: Barnert, E., Z. Iqbal, J. Bruce, A. Anoshiravani, G. Kolhatkar and J. Greenbaum (2017) ‘Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking of Children and Adolescents: A Narrative Review’, Academic Pediatrics.
CHILD LABOR TRAFFICKING: LITERATURE REVIEW (2016)
Commercially sexually exploited and sex trafficked children and adolescents are a hidden population with significant health risks, including a variety of physical and emotional complaints. Health care providers are in a unique position to identify exploited youth and offer specialized services. The existing literature can guide pediatricians on trauma-informed care and in victim identification and management. Further research is needed to better understand the risk factors creating increased vulnerability for CSEC and child sex trafficking as well as health outcomes among victims, and to identify best practices for recognizing exploited youth and providing them with trauma-informed service delivery and resources. Key opportunities to expand the existing research include examining CSEC and child sex trafficking risk and protective factors; developing validated screening tools to identify victims in health care settings; characterizing the long-term health impact of CSEC and child sex trafficking; and evaluating medical and behavioral health treatment practices. Victims’ perspectives should inform this research agenda to ensure that this vulnerable pediatric population is appropriately represented and that the programs and policies developed through the research are effective at meeting their needs.
Citation: OJJDP (2016) Child Labor Trafficking: Literature Review. United States: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
In Search of Data and Research on Human Trafficking: Analysis of Research-Based Literature (2008-2014) (2015)
In 2008, the Institute for the Study of International Migration (ISIM) produced an annotated bibliography of English-language research-based literature on trafficking of adults and children across international borders, including an analysis of the identified publications. In early 2015, the bibliography was updated to include research-based journal articles and reports published between 2008 and 2014. This report builds on the earlier exercises and presents a comparative analysis of English language research-based publications on human trafficking across international borders, spanning four decades. This analysis discusses the evolution of research-based publications on human trafficking, to identify research gaps, and to provide recommendations for future research. The report begins with a technical discussion of how the bibliography was compiled and the taxonomy used to code each work. It then presents a discussion of these findings, comparing the results to ISIM’s 2008 analysis of trafficking literature to understand changes in research coverage. Finally, remaining research gaps and areas for future research are identified.
Citation: Gozdziak, E. and S. Graveline (2015) In Search of Data and Research on Human Trafficking: Analysis of Research-Based Literature. Washington, D.C. Institute for the Study of International Migration, Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University.
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF RESEARCH-BASED LITERATURE ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING: 2008-2014 (2015)
This bibliography builds on an earlier publication from 2008, including listings of journal articles, reports, and books on various aspects of human trafficking, based on empirical research and published from 2008-2014. The bibliography covers international cross-border trafficking of adults and children but does not include domestic minor sex trafficking.
Citation: Gozdziak, E., S. Graveline, W. Skippings and M. Song (2008) Bibliography of Research-Based Literature on Human Trafficking: 2008-2014 . Washington, D.C. Institute for the Study of International Migration, Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University.
DATA AND RESEARCH ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING: BIBLIOGRAPHY OF RESEARCH-BASED LITERATURE (2008)
This report provides a detailed description of the processes involved in identifying English language research-based literature on human trafficking; the databases searched and the keywords used to identify pertinent references; discussion of the development of the taxonomy used to categorize identified research-based journal articles, reports, and books; and the results of the categorization of the research according to the taxonomy. The report concludes with a discussion of research gaps.
Citation: Gozdziak, E. and M. Bump (2008) Data and Research on Human Trafficking: Bibliography of Research-Based Literature. Washington, D.C. Institute for the Study of International Migration, Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING INTO AND WITHIN THE UNITED STATES: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE (2008)
This paper presents a comprehensive review of current literature on human trafficking into and within the United States. This review of the literature is part of a larger study funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, to examine how HHS programs are currently addressing the needs of victims of human trafficking, including domestic victims, with a priority focus on domestic youth. This study is also structured to identify barriers and promising practices for addressing the needs of victims of human trafficking, with a goal of informing program design and improving services to this extremely vulnerable population.
Citation: HHS (2008) Human Trafficking Into and Within the United States: A Review of the Literature. Washington, D.C., United States: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
TRAFFICKING FOR THE PURPOSES OF LABOUR EXPLOITATION: A LITERATURE REVIEW (2007)
The aims of this review were to identify what is known about trafficking to the UK for the purposes of labour exploitation; to identify knowledge gaps in this area; and to make recommendations, where appropriate, as to how to address any knowledge gaps. Overall, there is a lack of any robust research carried out in relation to all aspects of trafficking for the purposes of labour exploitation in relation to adults. The majority of information is either at an international level, focused on sexual exploitation, or concerns illegal workers (who may or may not have been trafficked), which may not accurately reflect the trafficking and labour exploitation situation in the UK. The most comprehensive research conducted in this area involves trafficking to Eastern European and Asian countries, rather than Western Europe. As with adult victims of trafficking, the majority of documented work in the area of child trafficking has concentrated on sexual exploitation. In comparison to adult literature there is generally less information in relation to children. This literature review highlights that there is very little factual and robust evidence concerning the trafficking of both adults and children to the UK for the purposes of labour exploitation. Some areas of knowledge are more extensively addressed than others, but there are considerable gaps in knowledge, which hinder development of policy and understanding of the area.
Citation: Dowling, S., K. Moreton and L. Wright (2007) Trafficking for the purposes of labour exploitation: a literature review. United Kingdom: Home Office.
LITERATURE REVIEW: TRAFFICKING IN HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCIES (2006)
Existing literature on humanitarian emergencies and disasters is vast and covers many aspects of disaster prevention, relief, and reconstruction. Much this work has documented and catalogued the effects of disasters on women. However, until the 2004 tsunami, little, if any, research had been conducted examining the role disasters play in increasing human trafficking, and in particular the trafficking of women and children. This literature review and analysis identifies, annotates, and synthesizes research studies, projects, and interventions related to trafficking in humanitarian emergency situations in order to serve as a tool for future USAID planning.
Citation: USAID (2006) Literature Review: Trafficking in Humanitarian Emergencies. United States: USAID.
RESEARCH ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN NORTH AMERICA: A REVIEW OF LITERATURE (2005)
This paper surveys existing literature on trafficking in human beings in North America. It includes a discussion of a broad spectrum of publications, not all of which relate to human trafficking as defined in the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. The examination of existing literature is carried out against a backdrop of the discussion of the antecedents of the contemporary trafficking phenomena as well as existing definitions of trafficking. This paper aims to map out the research that currently exists and make note of the research gaps that need to be filled in order to establish appropriate and effective policies and programmes for trafficked victims.
Citation: Gozdziak, E. and E.A. Collett (2005) Research on Human Trafficking in North America: A Review of Literature. Oxford, United Kingdom: Blackwell Publishing.
A Review of Recent OAS Research on Human Trafficking in the Latin American and Caribbean Region (2005)
No review of research on human trafficking worldwide would be complete without an examination of the situation in Latin America and the Caribbean. In the past few years, the Latin American and Caribbean regions have witnessed increased activities by the US Government, international organizations, and civil society alerting governments and migrants on the continually evolving nature of human trafficking, both domestically and across international boundaries. Effective policy responses to the scourge of human trafficking require reliable data based on solid empirical research. The clandestine nature of this criminal activity makes it only possible to rely on estimates, primarily from the nongovernmental organization (NGO) community. As in most parts of the world, before the year 2000 the problem had been overlooked and understudied in Latin America and the Caribbean. In an effort to ameliorate this problem and provide governments information that more fully addressed the scope and nature of the problem, the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM) and the InterAmerican Children’s Institute (IACI), both of the Organization of American States (OAS), collaborated with the International Human Rights Law Institute (IHRLI) of DePaul University to study human trafficking in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Citation: Langberg, Laura (2005) ‘A Review of Recent OAS Research on Human Trafficking in the Latin American and Caribbean Region’ in Data and Research on Human Trafficking: A Global Survey. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Migration.
A Problem by a Different Name? A Review of Research on Trafficking in South-East Asia and Oceania (2005)
This article has the main objective to review existing research and literature on trafficking in South-East Asia and Oceania in the larger context of regional migration patterns. It attempts to identify key themes and critically assess the knowledge base and gaps that emerge from this review. The major issue areas which are being addressed are: (1) quantification and definitional issues, and (2) resulting responses to trafficking by policy makers and law enforcers. Data and studies from this region confirm findings from other regions in many respects: (1) trafficking in humans emerges as a complex phenomenon that requires multi-dimensional responses; (2) despite its high and growing profile, statistical data and precise figures do not exist; and (3) although our understanding of the processes, dynamics, and underlying causes of human trafficking has substantially improved, it remains largely fragmented. Reflecting the feminization of migratory movements in general and the growing demand and supply in the sex industries, it appears as if women comprise the bulk of those trafficked. There are, however, also some region-specific issues and trends which yield different findings from studies in other regional contexts.
Citation: Piper, Nicola (2005) ‘A Problem by a Different Name? A Review of Research on Trafficking in South-East Asia and Oceania’ in Data and Research on Human Trafficking: A Global Survey. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Migration.
“You Can Find Anything You Want”: A Critical Reflection on Research on Trafficking in Persons within and into Europe (2005)
This paper takes a critical look at the current state of research with respect to Europe; given that trafficking occurs into and out of Europe to other regions of the globe, and that new concepts and theoretical perspectives transcend locality, “Europe” has been interpreted broadly.
Citation: Kelly, L. (2005) ‘“You Can Find Anything You Want”: A Critical Reflection on Research on Trafficking in Persons within and into Europe’ in Data and Research on Human Trafficking: A Global Survey. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Migration.
A Review of Recent Research on Human Trafficking in the Middle East (2005)
The aim of this article is threefold. First it shall provide a survey of literature and research on irregular migration, especially the trafficking of human beings. Second, by providing a literature survey, the article intends to map out some distinct characteristics of human trafficking in the Middle East. Lastly, it shall identify gaps in the literature and make some suggestions for future research on human trafficking in the Middle East.
Citation: Calandruccio, Giuseppe (2005) ‘A Review of Recent Research on Human Trafficking in the Middle East’ in Data and Research on Human Trafficking: A Global Survey. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Migration.
Human Trafficking: Bibliography by Region (2005)
A bibliography of resources on human trafficking, divided by region.
Citation: Farquet, Romaine, Heikki Matilla and Frank Laczko (2005) ‘Human Trafficking: Bibliography by Region’ in Data and Research on Human Trafficking: A Global Survey. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Migration.
TRAFFICKING IN EUROPE: A LITERATURE REVIEW (2004)
This literature review is based on publications and research reports on trafficking and counter-trafficking interventions in Europe dating from 2000 onwards. It is divided into three main regions: South Eastern Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, and Western Europe. It describes national legislation; national plans of action; prosecution efforts; and assistance to trafficked persons for each country within a region.
Citation: La Strada (2004) Trafficking in Europe: A Literature Review. Amsterdam, Netherlands: La Strada International.
JOURNEYS OF JEOPARDY: A REVIEW OF RESEARCH ON TRAFFICKING IN WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN EUROPE (2002)
The aims of this review are not to merely summarize what we know today, but also to organize the material into key themes; critically assess the knowledge base and identify gaps and future challenges. The material is organized into twelve sections: the challenges of research on trafficking; definitions and language use; current baseline data; the causes of trafficking; flows, routes and recruitment; the realities and consequences of sexual exploitation; traffickers and exploiters; prevention and awareness raising; assessment of national and international trafficking strategies; gaps in available knowledge and a conclusion.
Citation: Kelly, E. (2002) Journeys of Jeopardy: A Review of Research on Trafficking in Women and Children in Europe. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Migration (IOM).