Search

Canada's anti-trafficking efforts deploy security mechanisms through a diffused set of actors, including police and prosecutors, but also non-governmental organisations (NGOs), health care providers, educators, the travel and hospitality industry, private corporations, the media, and the public, to name a few. This article brings together two large research studies to focus on the particular and complex ways in which police and NGOs in the province of Ontario, Canada carry out anti-trafficking security tasks in cooperation, negotiation, and contention with each other, while simultaneously producing knowledge around trafficking, exploitation, and consent. We rely on Marc Schuilenburg's (The Securitization of Society: Crime, Risk, and Social Order, New York University Press, New York, 2015) work on the securitisation of society and 'security assemblage' to make sense of anti-trafficking risk management functions, considering how, where, and to what extent police and NGOs negotiate on-the-ground security work in their practices, revealing the contradictions and tensions that unfold in the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism (SECTT), also referred to as child sex tourism, involves engaging in sexual activity with someone under the age of 18 in the context of travel and/or tourism. Research on the perpetration of SECTT is vastly underdeveloped. The present review considers the operationalization of SECTT, its prevalence, and existing theoretical models. Existing theory on SECTT provides a good overview of environmental factors that contribute to SECTT, but the model is insufficient in fully accounting for individual-level risk factors related to sexual offending against children. The present paper expands an existing theoretical model of SECTT, the ecosystem model, to account for these individual risk factors and considers their interaction with environmental factors. The paper concludes by highlighting different avenues for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human trafficking, the recruitment and transportation of persons by use of force, coercion, or deception for exploitation is one of the largest illicit industries worldwide. In the execution of anti-trafficking policies to combat this phenomenon, nation-states have assigned a decisive role to criminal justice actors as they are not only responsible for the detection, investigation, and prosecution of perpetrators but also for the identification and (legal) protection of victims of human trafficking. However, research has shown that criminal justice actors encounter many challenges whilst carrying out their tasks, which is also reflected in the low numbers of successful prosecutions and identified victims. To our knowledge, the reasons behind this observation have never been studied systematically. This systematic review aims to collect and synthesise empirical literature on factors that influence the criminal justice response to human trafficking to better understand and identify gaps in knowledge. In total, 35 empirical studies were included. Findings were discussed in light of theory and previous research and were used to provide recommendations for policy and future research. These studies suggest that factors such as prevailing stereotypes, an absence of legal guidance and a lack of capacity and expertise interact and even amplify each other and that strengthening the criminal justice response to human trafficking requires a multi-layered approach that simultaneously addresses several challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines supports available to trafficked migrants in Canada, namely access to a residence permit, income support, healthcare, housing and legal assistance. We demonstrate that supports are limited and unevenly available across Canada and argue that these gaps are correlated with the nature of government anti-human trafficking discourse, which pays limited attention to the circumstances of trafficked migrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the framework of the mixed migration flows, the identification of the victims of trafficking in persons has become a delicate and challenging process, especially in the period 2015–2019, when the European Union experienced an unprecedented surge in migrant arrivals. Through a qualitative case study approach, the paper draws on interviews of street-level bureaucrats (Lipsky, 1980) responsible for the identification of potential or actual women victims of trafficking in persons within mixed migration flows2. The paper analyses how the European Union policies are implicated in the identification procedures adopted in Italy and to what extent a human rights-based and intersectional approach is applied in the Italian experience in 2015–2019. Issues related to the effective management of migration flows, including respect for the human rights of migrants and the prevention of discrimination for their treatment in terms of status, are closely intertwined with the process of early identification. The key findings were essentially threefold. First, a human rights-based approach – albeit with some critical issues – is applied during the identification procedures, as the multi-agency work is adopted as much as possible. Second, Italy did not completely implement some measures envisaged by the European Union policies, daunting early identification. Third, Italy seems to lack a comprehensive and coherent strategy, and policymaking is outsourced to a local policy network of agencies and institutions with their policy style. The paper sheds light on the need to change the approach used to identify victims of trafficking in persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the smuggling and trafficking of North Korean migrants in China (NKMC), focusing on their migration motives, victimization types, and contributing factors, alongside suggestions for prevention and mitigation strategies. Although the sample size is modest and non-random (N=58), the insights gathered offer a poignant glimpse into the lived experiences of this specific subgroup of migrants who navigated from North Korea to China and subsequently to South Korea. Interviews were conducted with former NKMC residing in South Korea. Participants were recruited through purposive snowball sampling. The primary reasons for leaving North Korea were economic hardships (70.7%) and survival (12.1%). In China, more than 72% of female migrants were sold into marriage, while 21% were coerced into the sex trade. Contributing factors to victimization included economic hardship, a shortage of marriageable women, illegal status, and fear of deportation. Additionally, language barriers, geographical unfamiliarity, and stringent information control policies exacerbated the vulnerability of NKMC to exploitation. Addressing it as a criminal justice issue may be more effective than a human rights approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although increasingly deployed worldwide, human trafficking hotlines are sorely under-researched. Situated within a complex systems framework, we conceptualise such helplines as both a product of and an influence on broader anti-trafficking ecosystems. Taking the UK as a case study, we undertook exploratory analysis of potential 'modern slavery' cases (n=3,613) reported to a major independent anti-trafficking helpline. We examined who seeks help, why and what follows. Contrary to stereotypes, relatively few cases involved sexual exploitation. Many case characteristics varied significantly by exploitation type. Reports about car washes and beauty services heavily influenced overall trends, likely reflecting intense public focus on these sites. Most cases involved adults. Although people self-reporting exploitation are the core target audience, only around 1 in 10 cases derived from self-reports (with higher rates for domestic servitude). We show how third-party reporters vary in their proximity to the people about whom they raise concerns – who themselves may or may not self-identify as victims and/or welcome intervention. Findings around onward action both show a whole-systems response to addressing complex needs and raise difficult tensions around risks of police involvement. Our key contributions include showing what can (and cannot) presently be assessed from such helpline data, proposing a future research agenda and providing a tangible illustration of what it means to theorise helplines as a part of a complex system of anti-trafficking activity. We highlight how their central goal of victim support can be enabled and constrained by wider policies, funding decisions and other structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a robust quantitative approach for determining significant economic factors for sex trafficking in the United States. The aim is to study monthly counts of sex trafficking-related convictions, and use a wide range of economic variables as covariates to investigate their effect on conviction counts. A count time series model is considered along with a regression setup to include economic time series as covariates (economic factors) to explain the counts on sex trafficking-related convictions. The statistical significance of these economic factors is investigated and the significant factors are ranked based on appropriate model selection methods. The inclusion of time-lagged versions of the economic factor time series in the regression model is also explored. Our findings indicate that economic factors relating to immigration policy, consumer price index and labor market regulations are the most significant in explaining sex trafficking convictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article critically interrogates the political effect of portraying drug-related organized crime in the Americas as a resilient market phenomenon. It works out how both drug demand and supply are constructed as immune to repressive policy interventions of the War on Drugs. Drug demand is seen as a pathologic consumer habit which is inelastic to price changes brought about by interdiction. Drug supply, in turn, cannot be permanently suppressed as the 'balloon effect' ensures that trafficking routes merely shift from one country to another. In this discursive framework, policy making is consigned to perpetual adaption rather than purposive social transformation. In consequence, the political horizon of international policy making is limited to living with danger. This discursive move is facilitated by the resilience approach which consigns human communities to coping with threats and upheavals they can no longer have any hope of overcoming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This research is about the power of documents as recorders of history and preservers of institutional memory. Specifically, the study examines Project 1012, a municipal reform project in Amsterdam's famous Red-Light District. Methods: We performed a critical discourse analysis on 10 policy briefs leading up to and following the implementation of Project 1012 between 2007 and 2020. Results: Our study reveals that the documents actively evoke certain narratives about sex work, its historical connections to the city, and its social problems to support the reduction of the industry. The documents omit other information about the history and origins of the problems experienced in Amsterdam's Red-Light District, including policymakers' own roles in the creation of these issues. Conclusions: The research concludes that policy documents have deontic powers and can be considered "folded objects" that consistently present certain narratives as truthful by omitting or downplaying the historical context of social issues. By folding these narratives in themselves, they have the power to shape the futures of the city and its citizens, executing a myriad of changes that have significantly impacted the lives and work conditions of local sex workers. Policy Implications: This research highlights the importance of being aware of the power and potential biases inherent in policy documents. Policymakers should strive to create policies that are based on accurate and comprehensive information and consider the voices of marginalized groups, such as sex workers, who are disproportionately affected by the policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: People who trade sex face violence and discrimination across individual, community, and systemic levels. The goal of the current study is to examine the impact of the terms used for people who trade sex (e.g., sex worker, prostitute, individual who sells sex, whore, escort) on people's perceptions of individuals who trade sex within the United States. Methods: The current study used a prototype methodology to understand the impact of these terms. Data were collected in 2022 and participants were asked to provide 5 characteristics of each term describing a person who trades sex and designate these characteristics as positive, negative, or neutral. Results: Participants attributed more negative than positive characteristics to people who trade sex, broadly. When describing a Prostitute, an Individual who Sells Sex (ISS), and a whore, participants reported markedly more negative characteristics than when describing a Sex Worker or an Escort. Conclusion: Greater attention to the language used to describe people who trade sex is needed. Policy Implications: At present, the term prostitute and/or prostitution is used consistently in legal statutes and literature. Given the markedly negative perceptions associated with these terms, reforming social and legal policies utilizing this and other stigmatizing terms is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil spillage is common in oil-producing communities of Nigeria, and it impacts negatively on the residents of these communities. This study analysed available research data on oil spillage incidents in these communities to determine their main causes and impacts on the residents. This study highlights the immediate and long-term consequences of oil spills on residents of oil-host communities in Nigeria. A systematic review of published studies was carried out, and 22 studies were identified from the literature search. The main causes of oil spills were identified as sabotage (87%), leakage from corroded pipelines (62%), and equipment failure (45%). Others were mystery spills and operational failures. Unemployment, abject poverty, marginalization, and inaction of government regulatory agencies are enabling factors for sabotage and vandalism of oil pipelines. It was found that exposure to oil spills impacts directly and indirectly on residents of oil-host communities, with accompanying health, socioeconomic, and environmental implications. Oil spills in these communities impact on all facets of their life, thereby infringing on their rights to existence and survival. The major interventions were targeted at improving health services, education, infrastructure, skill acquisition, and employment. These in turn reduced the occurrence of violence, insurgency, and human trafficking in the oil-producing communities. It is recommended that government regulatory agencies should be revamped and repositioned to effectively perform their duties. Interventions should be targeted at addressing the causes of agitation by indigenes by involving them in the decision-making process. Also, appropriate remediation strategies should be adopted to clean up the oil spills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The externalization of migration control undermines the protection of victims of trafficking in human beings. Pushbacks and pullbacks at sea, as well as simplified or accelerated identification procedures, exacerbate the risk of trafficking and retrafficking and prevent victims from accessing the protection to which they may be entitled in European States. In this scenario, the European Court of Human Rights can play a crucial role among international bodies and courts in ensuring effective remedies for victims in case of repatriation to their countries of origin and transit. This study examines the applicability of the prohibition of slavery, servitude and forced labour enshrined in Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights—whose scope now undisputedly includes trafficking in human beings—in the context of the externalization of migration control. It demonstrates that litigating unlawful refoulements under Article 4 ECHR might be very worthwhile to raise awareness of migration-related risks for victims, to strengthen the legal framework of positive obligations in trafficking cases, and to ascertain violations of anti-trafficking international obligations by European States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terms such as human trafficking and modern-day slavery are ephemeral but reflect manifestations of oppression, servitude, and captivity that perpetually have threatened the basic right of all humans. Operations research and analytical tools offering practical wisdom have paid scant attention to this overarching problem. Motivated by this lacuna, this study considers two of the most prevalent categories of human trafficking: forced labor and forced sex. Using one of the largest available datasets due to Counter-Trafficking Data Collective (CTDC), we examine patterns related to forced sex and forced labor. Our study uses a two-phase approach focusing on explainability: Phase 1 involves logistic regression (LR) segueing to association rules analysis and Phase 2 employs Bayesian Belief Networks (BBNs) to uncover intricate pathways leading to human trafficking. This combined approach provides a comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to human trafficking, effectively addressing the limitations of conventional methods. We confirm and challenge some of the key findings in the extant literature and call for better prevention strategies. Our study goes beyond the pretext of analytics usage by prescribing how to incorporate our results in combating human trafficking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human trafficking represents the second most profitable criminal activity in the world. Here, based on the snowball sampling method, we obtained a novel dataset of a human trafficking network on the southern border of Mexico. This dataset was used to construct an unweighted and undirected graph that represents the interactions of the trafficking network. Our analysis reveals a moderate level of centralization at 44.32% and a medium density of 0.401, indicative of a structural balance that facilitates the coordination of criminal activities without a single actor's dominance. Addressing the challenge posed by the network's minimal cohesiveness, which hampers the sharing of resources among members, we assess four dismantling strategies: random removal, targeting hubs and brokers, a human capital-focused approach, and Generalized Network Dismantling (GND). Our findings underscore the efficacy of targeting moderately connected actors, a strategy that disrupts the network's resilience and operational capacity by severing important but inconspicuous connections, thereby destabilizing the network's efficiency subtly and avoiding immediate alert to the dismantling activities. This work is a significant contribution to the field of criminal network modeling and analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Human trafficking occurs when a person uses force, fraud, or coercion to obtain an act or service from another person. While trafficking is often depicted as a crime perpetrated by strangers, recent literature has found family members can also be traffickers. Only four peer reviewed studies have specifically examined familial trafficking. Method: The current study builds upon this sparse literature by reviewing medical charts of patients in a large hospital system who were identified as survivors of familial trafficking between October 2017 and September 2021. Descriptive statistics are reported for all 39 identified patients. Results: Majority of patients were female (92.3%) and under 36 years old (56.4%; M = 34.2, SD = 11.6). Despite most patients now being adults, all except one were minors at the time the trafficking began. Parents were the most common perpetrator (66.7%) followed by aunt/uncle (12.8%). Nine cases were chosen, given level of detail in patient charts, to be highlighted in a case series to further describe the experiences of these survivors. Cases examined included labor trafficking, parents as perpetrators, intersection of substance use, and males as victims. Force was the most common means of control used and often manifested as physical or sexual abuse that preceded the exploitation. Another reoccurring theme was substance use being a factor when parents were perpetrators. Conclusion: The findings from this paper can help inform screening techniques by encouraging providers to inquire about familial relationships. Findings may also be helpful for providers working with this population and future research endeavors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trafficking in women for forced marriage is a serious violation of women's rights and a pervasive concern globally. However, empirical studies about trafficking North Korean women for forced marriage in China based on Chinese official documents have generally remained overlooked. Drawing on a sample of 66 court documents involving 222 traffickers and 192 buyers from 2012 to 2020, this study contributes to the trafficking literature by providing an in-depth analysis of the trafficking of North Korean women for forced marriage in China. Content analysis is used to explore (a) the identity characteristics and motivations of traffickers, buyers, and victims, (b) the trafficking procedure, and (c) the division of labor among traffickers and patterns of penalties imposed on the traffickers. Findings suggest that both traffickers and buyers are mainly with low education, without stable employment, and geographically concentrated in Northeastern China. The trafficking process can be divided into recruitment, border crossing, transportation, matchmaking, transfer, and transaction. The implications for research and policy are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A small body of research spanning more than a decade finds that survivors of human trafficking may not want to prosecute their traffickers for myriad reasons. An integrated framework combining principles of therapeutic jurisprudence, survivor centered practice, anti-oppressive practice and restorative justice provides an important theoretical lens for examining and offering alternatives to traditional prosecution in human trafficking cases. Specifically, this theoretical essay aims to draw attention to prosecutorial challenges in human trafficking cases and argues for an alternative or enhancement to traditional prosecution. Alternatives that are discussed emphasize the following: mitigating revictimization; supporting survivors' input, aims and goals; providing opportunities for therapeutic moments, repairing harm, and restitution; and incorporating cultural humility and cultural competency in the prosecution process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous corporate and state processes have long underpinned harms related to human trafficking and exploitation. A consequence of these processes has been a growing interest in how public and private sector organisations co-operate to address key challenges, including accountability for alleged exploitation. The purpose of this article is to examine these public-private sector dynamics in the Finnish construction industry, with a particular emphasis on how stakeholders respond to challenges associated with human trafficking, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and the 'grey economy'. The core argument developed is that despite a strong regulatory framework in Finnish construction, significant aspects of corporate compliance rely on companies' voluntary efforts, whereby public sector authorities can have competing views of solutions to address trafficking and exploitation. This paper contributes to existing discussions within white-collar and corporate crime on the dynamics of CSR, and how these apply to the broader context of the grey economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There have been both challenges and improvements in reporting human trafficking crimes in transportation. This paper explores one element of data collected through the 2021 National Outreach Survey for Transportation (NOST). Through the NOST, trafficking survivors, victim service providers, transportation personnel, and law enforcement documented unresolved challenges, identified areas of success and those needing improvement on the frontlines, and contributed to recommendations for counter-trafficking efforts. Participant responses reinforce the documented perceptions, limitations, and challenges in understanding and improving the reporting of human trafficking. Distrust and fear of repercussions, whether inflicted by traffickers or by deficiencies in the justice system, were recurring reasons for underreporting noted by participating survivors and victim service providers. Respondents from multiple transport modes also provide valuable insight into industry training gaps and recommendations for how personnel and industry leaders can help to strengthen reporting channels. For the primarily U.S.-based transportation respondents, half expressed concerns about misidentifying signs of human trafficking at work, with another quarter stating their concerns would prevent them from reporting suspected trafficking. Future directions for the transportation industry to address these challenges are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the introduction to the special issue on 'human trafficking, sexual exploitation and digital technologies'. This special issue contributes to the knowledge base by bringing together four articles that focus on the use of online platforms by human traffickers for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation. In doing so, this special issue explores the affordances of online platforms to human traffickers, the challenges faced by law enforcement and other actors seeking to intervene in human trafficking in the digital age, and perhaps pathways towards overcoming these challenges in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sex trafficking is one type of human trafficking, which involves scenarios where individuals are not paid and are forced to engage in forced sex, forced prostitution, and sexual slavery. Online advertising is increasingly used by traffickers as an anonymous and efficient method to exploit victims. Large sporting events have been linked to increases in sex trafficking, although there is limited empirical evidence to support this claim. The goal of this study is to answer the following question: What is the relationship between Super Bowls and potential online sex trafficking? Using time series Poisson analysis of secondary data on online sexual service advertisements in Florida during the 2020 and 2021 Super Bowls, which took place in Miami and Tampa, Florida, respectively, the result indicates an increase in online advertisements that exhibit indicators of sex trafficking during the two Super Bowls. The paper concludes by providing recommendations for federal, state, and local law enforcement for improving sex trafficking responses during large sporting events and outlines a future research agenda on the relationship between large sporting events and sex trafficking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thinking about organised crime as an ecosystem is not only novel but also offers much potential to add to the theoretical and policy-based literature in this area. While organised crime is often analysed as relationships between criminal groups and consumers of illicit goods/services, little work has analysed specific forms of organised crime activities as ecosystems where different constituent parts are dependent upon each other for the crime activity to occur. This paper analyses the organisation of sexual exploitation by entrepreneurial organised crime groups selling sex in the United Kingdom. Based upon 30 interviews with 23 law enforcement forces in England and Wales and five interviews with Adult Service Website Operators; it identifies how an ecosystem is built that ensures (a) profit generation and (b) avoidance of legal prosecution. Our analysis not only illustrates how a market 'supply' and 'demand' ecosystem is generated through mutually convenient 'organiser', 'marketer' and 'buyer' relationships, but also how the roles of these actors ensure sexual exploitation continues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study identifies the presence of human trafficking indicators in a UK-based sample of sex workers who advertise their services online. To this end, we developed a crawling and scraping software that enabled the collection of information from 17, 362 advertisements for female sex workers posted on the largest dedicated platform for sex work services in the UK. We then established a set of 10 indicators of human trafficking and a transparent and replicable methodology through which to detect their presence in our sample. Most of the advertisements (58.3%) contained only one indicator, while 3,694 of the advertisements (21.3%) presented 2 indicators of human trafficking. Only 1.7% of the advertisements reported three or more indicators, while there were no advertisements that featured more than four. 3, 255 advertisements (19.0%) did not contain any indicators of human trafficking. Based on this analysis, we propose that this approach constitutes an effective screening process for quickly identifying suspicious cases, which can then be examined by more comprehensive and accurate tools to identify if human trafficking is occurring. We conclude by calling for more empirical research into human trafficking indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation and modern slavery have experienced an unprecedented boom over the past decade due to the development of information and communication technologies (ICTs), particularly in digital and networked environments. These developments have created new opportunities for human exploitation and illegal profiteering. Adult Services Websites (ASWs), online platforms on which sex workers post profiles advertising their services, are a key conduit for human traffickers to exploit their victims. Alongside profiles of independent sex workers, traffickers are posting false ASW profiles, advertising the forced services of their victims and camouflaging these false profiles amongst legitimate adverts. In response, police practitioners are proactively investigating ASWs to identify suspect profiles. A key obstacle for practitioners, however, is to distinguish between ASW profiles posted by independent, consenting sex workers advertising their services, and those posted by traffickers exploiting their victims. The exploratory study presented in this paper seeks to address this particular challenge. Working with a British police force, the researchers in this study gathered existing knowledge on the traffickers' use of ASW profiles to create a bespoke tool of analysis, the Sexual Trafficking Identification Matrix (STIM). The aim of this tool has been to identify 'risk indicators' on ASW profiles and to flag these for potential police investigation. This paper presents the results of this exploratory study and its four stages. Furthermore, more broadly, it reflects on the use of evidence-based tools by law enforcement to tackle complex domains of offending such as those of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children who have been trafficked may experience longer-term mental health consequences with a significant impact on all life domains. Key professionals must be prepared and adopt practices that help to prevent and fight child trafficking and the harm caused. This study aims to explore the current knowledge of professionals from Portugal on child trafficking and perceptions about their practices and skills. The sample consisted of 614 professionals from justice (47.1%), education (19.4%), social (18.9%), and health care (14.7%) areas who completed an online survey. Professionals were more knowledgeable about forms of exploitation and less about victims' profile. Professionals who had direct contact with and/or training in human trafficking presented more knowledge and positive perceptions about their practices and skills. This study aims to raise awareness and develop informed training programs based on professionals' needs and challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health consequences of human trafficking have been poorly researched compared to other aspects of this crime. A systematic review was carried out to study health from a broader perspective, beyond psychophysical symptoms, to understand the global impact of human trafficking on sexual, social, physical, and psychological health. The search identified many studies focused on the violence of sex trafficking in female samples. This work leads us to conclude that social health is an important dimension of the well-being of trafficking victims. More studies are needed on aspects of social health, especially regarding research gaps related to spirituality and nutrition, thus continuing preventing and combating human trafficking. Many gender biases were also discovered: unlike studies of trafficking in women, the few studies on men did not look at parenting, sexual health, marital status, or sex trafficking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Average edge connectivity is a fundamental metric in classical and fuzzy graph theory. It is a key parameter in evaluating the reliability of a network. Fuzzy average edge connectivity more accurately describes the overall stability of links in the network by providing a more precise measure of the connectivity of the fuzzy graphs. It is particularly significant in situations where connectivity strength and dependability possess a degree of fuzziness, including communication networks with variable signal intensities or transit systems with unpredictable travel durations. In this article, we describe the types of edges in Pythagorean fuzzy graphs and the ideas of the Pythagorean fuzzy trees and cycles. We define the Pythagorean fuzzy average edge connectivity of Pythagorean fuzzy graphs using the concept of minimal Pythagorean fuzzy local edge cut. We provide the bounds for the Pythagorean fuzzy average edge connectivity of Pythagorean fuzzy graphs and strong Pythagorean fuzzy graphs. We discuss the Pythagorean fuzzy average edge connectivity of edge-deleted Pythagorean fuzzy subgraphs of Pythagorean fuzzy graphs. Moreover, we determine the effect of the different types of edges on the Pythagorean fuzzy average edge connectivity. We establish some results on Pythagorean fuzzy average edge connectivity. Furthermore, we design some algorithms to compute the Pythagorean fuzzy average edge connectivity of particular Pythagorean fuzzy graphs as complete Pythagorean fuzzy graphs and saturated Pythagorean fuzzy cycles. We provide the application of Pythagorean fuzzy average edge connectivity in human trafficking. Finally, we compare the suggested approach with an existing model to illustrate its viability and applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple systems estimation using a Poisson loglinear model is a standard approach to quantifying hidden populations where data sources are based on lists of known cases. Information criteria are often used for selecting between the large number of possible models. Confidence intervals are often reported conditional on the model selected, providing an over-optimistic impression of estimation accuracy. A bootstrap approach is a natural way to account for the model selection. However, because the model selection step has to be carried out for every bootstrap replication, there may be a high or even prohibitive computational burden. We explore the merit of modifying the model selection procedure in the bootstrap to look only among a subset of models, chosen on the basis of their information criterion score on the original data. This provides large computational gains with little apparent effect on inference. We also incorporate rigorous and economical ways of approaching issues of the existence of estimators when applying the method to sparse data tables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human trafficking (HT) violates human rights and brings long-lasting consequences for victims. This study aimed to geographically and statistically analyze (1) the implementation of a youth educational prevention program, kNOw MORE! (kM!) located in San Diego County (SD); (2) clusters of student participants who desired to talk further about trafficking after participating in kM!; (3) clusters of SD regions that included protective factors based on mental and social services for survivors of HT and similar populations; and (4) the low and high risk clusters for trafficking within SD. kM! is a preventive program that seeks to increase knowledge and self-efficacy to prevent trafficking. kM! is designed to increase knowledge and self-efficacy among middle and high school students to prevent HT. Databases used included the U.S. Census, the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System, kM!'s (2016–2020), among others. Results indicate that kM! was implemented throughout the six regions of SD. These presentations reached a total of N = 11,586 participants. Analysis of ZIP codes highlighted the South and East regions as representing the highest cluster for kM!'s presentations. Central, North Inland, and South Regions of SD are among the ones with highest percentiles of HT vulnerability scores. Regarding protective factors, the Central Region of San Diego contains the highest clustering of mental health and social services. These findings can assist diverse stakeholders and leaders to geographically strategize their anti-trafficking efforts. However, complete and uniform open databases at multiple levels are required to best inform the associations between geographical spaces and HT vulnerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human trafficking is a complex, multifaceted, and deeply layered issue. Consequently, any mitigation strategy employed against it must also be layered and target the distinct aspects of the issue. For long, the obvious and perhaps the most visible practice to deal with cases of trafficking has been employing a criminal justice approach where the focus largely lies on the persecution of the criminal instead of the protection of the survivors. More nuanced approaches, such as anti-trafficking clauses that protect human rights and focus on removing root causes that directly or indirectly have an impact on trafficking patterns, including labor, migration, and sexual exploitation issues, have emerged to successfully tackle human trafficking as a global issue. The principles and guidelines for such a multi-sectoral, human rights-based approach are primarily aimed at trafficking prevention, protection, assistance to survivors of trafficking, criminalization, punishment, and redressal. This article aims to evaluate this approach and its intersections with the traditional criminal justice approach. It will further discuss the approach that is currently in practice and argue for further improvements and efforts. Finally, it will also discuss the impact of COVID-19 on trafficking in persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug cryptomarkets are a significant development in the recent history of illicit drug markets. Dealers and buyers can now finalize transactions with people they have never met, who could be located anywhere across the globe. What factors shape the geography of international drug trafficking via these cryptomarkets? In our current study, we test the determinants of drug trafficking through cryptomarkets by using a mix of social network analysis and a new dataset composed of self-reported transactions. Our findings contribute to existing research by demonstrating that a country's level of technological advancement increases the probability of forming trafficking connections on cryptomarkets. Additionally, we found that a country's capacity to police cryptomarkets reduces the number of trafficking connections with other countries. We also observed that trafficking on cryptomarkets is more likely to occur between countries that are geographically close. In summary, our study highlights the need to consider both online and offline factors in research on cryptomarkets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human trafficking is a grave concern that we often choose to overlook. In India, this problem has escalated in recent years, with Assam being labelled the trafficking hub of the country in 2015. Despite a brief dip, the situation in the state has not improved significantly, and the statistics are a testimony to the failure of the government's initiatives. Human trafficking is not just about abduction or false promises; it reflects poverty, inadequate border security, unemployment, and underdevelopment, factors that make individuals vulnerable to exploitation. Eradicating this menace requires addressing the root causes and uplifting people from all backgrounds. The survival instinct of humans fuels this despicable trade, and only a comprehensive approach can bring about a significant decline in such activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dr. Marija Jovanovic's book, "State Responsibility for 'Modern Slavery' in Human Rights Law: A Right Not to be Trafficked," addresses the urgent issue of contemporary forms of slavery and human trafficking. The book examines international and regional human rights treaties that aim to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable. It argues for the existence of a human right not to be trafficked and explores the legal nature of human trafficking, the notion of exploitation, and the positive obligations of states in combating modern slavery. The book also highlights the importance of addressing state-perpetrated slavery, the role of public procurement, and the need for an intersectional approach to protect vulnerable workers. The author concludes by emphasizing the need for collaboration between different legal domains and the potential of mandatory human rights due diligence legislation in combating modern slavery. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a comprehensive list of over 350 English-language publications from 2022 that cover various aspects of organized crime and related topics. The publications were identified through a systematic review of peer-reviewed journals, Google Scholar, and Google Books. The list includes books and journal articles that explore topics such as human trafficking, smuggling, terrorism, and the relationship between organized crime and other illicit activities. The articles provide valuable insights for researchers and policymakers interested in understanding and addressing organized crime. This collection of articles and books offers a diverse range of perspectives and approaches, making it a valuable resource for researchers and scholars interested in these topics. [Extracted from the article]

This article features an interview with Professor Etannibi Alemika, a renowned criminologist in West Africa, discussing organized crime in the region. Organized crime was not widely recognized in Nigeria until the 1980s, primarily due to the international drug trade. Today, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and cybercrime are the most prevalent forms of organized crime in West Africa. The COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly impact these activities, but evolving technologies have influenced their nature. The concept of organized crime has shed light on the severity of certain crimes and their implications for the economy and society in West Africa. However, individual crimes are still more commonly addressed than the concept of organized crime itself. Corruption is also a transnational crime in Africa, with corrupt officials often laundering money in other countries. The article explores the issue of organized crime in Africa, particularly focusing on corruption and its impact on poverty, unemployment, and other forms of organized crime such as human trafficking and drug trafficking. It highlights the lack of attention given to corruption as organized crime by external sponsors and emphasizes the need for African policymakers to prioritize the financial sector. The article also stresses the importance of understanding local perspectives and distinguishing between subsistence livelihood activities and organized crime. It suggests that evidence-based policy approaches should incorporate economic and social policies to discourage people from engaging in illicit activities. Additionally, it suggests that regional approaches may be beneficial depending on the specific market and destination of illicit products. [Extracted from the article]

The aim of this paper is to further understanding on the ethical and conceptual challenges associated with researching human trafficking in Edo state, Nigeria. The contribution addresses perceptions of these phenomena among some local actors in the state. Based on five years' research on human trafficking from Nigeria to Europe, this paper puts into perspective local perceptions, and some dynamics of data collection. Also considered here are ethical challenges bordering on trust and suspicion of the researcher's intent, informed consent and suspicion of researcher's motive especially those linked to funding. The paper concludes by recommending ways of navigating as well as overcoming the associated challenges in researching human trafficking in Edo state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There is a growing interest in legislation and policies regarding sex work in the European Union and a debate between two opposite perspectives: prostitution is a form of gender violence or a work lacking legal and social recognition. This review aims to develop an integrative synthesis of literature regarding the impact of prostitution policies on sex workers' health, safety, and living and working conditions across EU member states. Methods: A search conducted at the end of 2020 in bibliographic databases for quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods peer-reviewed research, and grey literature published between 2000 and 2020 resulted in 1195 initial references eligible for inclusion. After applying the selection criteria, 30 records were included in the review. A basic convergent qualitative meta-integration approach to synthesis and integration was used. The systematic review is registered through PROSPERO (CRD42021236624). Results: Research shows multiple impacts on the health, safety, and living and working conditions of sex workers across the EU. Conclusions: Evidence demonstrates that criminalisation and regulation of any form of sex work had negative consequences on sex workers who live in the EU in terms of healthcare, prevalence and risk of contracting HIV and STIs, stigmatisation and discrimination, physical and sexual victimisation, and marginalisation due to marked social inequalities, for both nationals and migrants from outside the EU. Policy Implications: The evidence available makes a strong case for removing any criminal laws and other forms of sanctioning sex workers, clients, and third parties, which are prevalent in the EU, and for decriminalisation. There is a need for structural changes in policing and legislation that focus on labour and legal rights, social and financial inequities, human rights, and stigma and discrimination to protect cis and transgender sex workers and ethnical minorities in greater commitment to reduce sex workers' social inequalities, exclusion, and lack of institutional support. These measures could also positively impact reducing and monitoring human trafficking and exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While rescuing trafficked children has been focused on several countries in the Global North, little is known about what and how it worked and what and how it has not worked in some nations in the Global South, such as Vietnam. Although Vietnam has been considered the source's country at Tier 3's classification in the U.S. Trafficking in Persons Report 2022, its victim-centered approach still lacks focus and improvement. Given the country's political ideology, top-down management, and centralized governance, copying Western strategies for supporting those children's victims is challenging in Vietnam. This study analyzes the hotline services to understand better the process of child trafficking victims' (CTV) rescues in Vietnam. To assess the inside of support victims of child trafficking, we use a mixed-qualitative method by combining focus-group discussions and semi-structured interviews with 28 participants from the hotline operators, law enforcers, and social welfare. Our findings point out (1) various information of callers to hotline operators, (2) different pathways to handle these sources, and (3) the impacts of COVID-19's outbreak on supporting the victims. Outcomes of hotline services also depend on human resources, legal frameworks, and collaborative mechanisms. Some practical gaps also call for further attention to enhance the hotline services in Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human sex trafficking represents a pressing social problem that has garnered a significant amount of attention. A great deal of research has focused on key issues related to human sex trafficking, including factors associated with being trafficked and where human sex trafficking is most likely to occur. A body of research has also examined some of the potential consequences associated with being a victim of human sex trafficking. The current study adds to these findings by analyzing unique self-reported data to examine whether human sex trafficking in adolescence is associated with adulthood depression, suicidal ideation, intimate partner violence victimization, and criminal involvement. To do so, data drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) were analyzed. The results revealed statistically significant associations between four human sex trafficking measures and the outcome measures for males and females. However, these associations were somewhat inconsistent, relatively small in magnitude, and the patterns of significance varied between males and females. We conclude by discussing limitations of the study and offering avenues for future research on human sex trafficking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has experienced an upsurge in child abandonment since the late 1970s in parallel with its one-child policy (OCP) and market reforms. Due to the scarcity of individual-level data, the literature focuses on informal adoption and child trafficking. This study first demonstrates the spatial-temporal trends of child abandonment across over 100,000 self-reported cases spanning 40 years in China collected from an internet platform. We then examine how the OCP and the long-established clan culture influence the incidence of child abandonment at the provincial level. We further compare whether the influences vary across genders. The results indicate that a tougher OCP penalty increases child abandonment, particularly the abandonment of girls. The influence of the OCP on girl abandonment is weaker in provinces with a strong clan culture, where sex ratios at birth are more unbalanced due to an increased incidence of gender-selective abortions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human trafficking is a harmful, widespread and pressing issue that demands attention. However, the prevalence of such crimes may vary across different countries and time periods, which means that there may not be a universal solution to addressing them. In response to the recent public outcry sparked by the incident of the woman chained in Feng County, Xuzhou, this article provides a comprehensive review of China's legislative and judicial responses to crimes against women and children who are abducted and sold, as well as the corresponding governance effects and causes. This study examines whether the punishment for buying and trafficking women and children should be increased through criminal law amendments and whether the current public outrage calling for equal punishment for buyers and sellers is justified. To provide a rational response to these issues, the article reviews all relevant laws, regulations, judicial cases, and typical cases from 1979 to 2022. An analysis of the change in case processing over the years was conducted using MATLAB software with the baseline panel regression model, robustness checks, and mechanism tests. This study reveals a decline on human trafficking crimes in China, but four provinces (Yunnan, Henan, Shandong, and Fujian) have a higher incidence. The article offers a comprehensive analysis from both macro and micro perspectives. National macro factors such as economic development, social welfare policies, rural revitalization, and COVID-19 prevention contribute to the decline. From a micro perspective, local differences in these provinces are a significant reason for high incidence from a micro perspective. This article suggests that legal amendments to increase punishment would be ineffective. Instead, existing legal provisions should be applied, and decision-making rules from typical cases should be utilized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts to address human trafficking require a multi-faceted approach. The "3-P" index outlined in the U.N. protocol on human trafficking highlights the importance of prosecuting criminals, protecting survivors, and preventing the crime. In addition to states, civil society organizations (CSOs) play a crucial role in fighting this issue. Cooperation between the state and CSOs is increasingly recognized as a vital strategy for combatting human trafficking. Does the consulting of CSOs by policymakers affect outcomes in prosecution, protection, and prevention? Using data from an original data set of 183 countries, my findings suggest that cooperation significantly influences prosecution and prevention efforts, but not protection efforts. I theorize that this is because there are low technical and political costs to implement prosecution and prevention policies, but high technical and political costs to implement protection policies. Furthermore, I argue that CSO consultation is more likely to be associated with shallow, rather than deep, policy changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious diseases and their imperative awareness gain major relevance through global warming and multi-continent refugee crises. Here, we demonstrate the challenges of malaria diagnosis, disease course, and treatment, including post-artesunate hemolysis in a Syrian refugee with severe falciparum malaria, most probably infected during migrant smuggling from Türkiye to Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite growing scholarly interest in international rankings, we know little on how the public perceives them. Do rankings bring citizens to favor compliance with international standards? Or do citizens simply dismiss the rankings? We examine these questions through the Israeli public's response to the U.S. tier ranking of efforts against human trafficking. A survey experiment finds that Israel's demotion from Tier 1 to Tier 2 leaves Israelis unfazed; a demotion to Tier 3 produces a surprising backlash effect, reducing Israelis' support for anti-trafficking efforts. While this should have been a likely case for demonstrating the intended impact of rankings, we show that rankings might, in fact, meet a dismissive or defiant public response. This finding suggests caution in the assessment of international rankings' domestic impact, and it carries implications for the design of rankings to reduce the risk of a backlash. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The last decade witnessed increasing involvement of criminal street gangs in domestic sex trafficking in the United States. This paper analyzes business models and practices of gang-controlled sex trafficking in Northern Virginia, based on the cases available from PACER, an electronic public access service of the United States federal court. This analysis shows that business models of gang-controlled sex trafficking have become more sophisticated, taking advantages of the globalized financial system, new technology, social media, and the increasing prevalence of illicit commerce in a digital world with greater connectivity. Gangs' flexible structures combined with loyalty enforced among their members have shielded them from much law enforcement action. The analysis of different gangs involved in sex trafficking in Northern Virginia provides new insights into anti-trafficking policies and law enforcement responses tailored to their structures and modi operandi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trade of humans aimed at the intention of forced labor, sexual slavery, commercial sexual slavery, or else others is termed human trafficking (HT). It happens inside a nation or else trans-nationality. Victims of trafficking may be of whichever age and gender. Herein, the face recognition (FR) design to fight against HT is propounded centred on surveillance videos aimed at rescuing the victims. Initially, the missing persons' image is gathered as of the police department and then undergoes pre-processing. In the pre-processing phase, filtering (Gaussian filter (GF)) is executed to eradicate the noise existent in the image, and contrast enhancement (IMF-CLAHE) is done to acquire the contrast-enhanced image (EI). Next, in the image, the face is identified utilizing Viola–Jones algorithm (VJA). Then, feature extraction (FE) occurs; after that dimensionality reduction utilizing P7SKLDA is executed. The dimensionality reduced features are then inputted into the MDBN classifier to recognize the person. After performing FR on the inputted data, FR is executed on the surveillance videos by transforming the videos to frames. Lastly, motion estimation utilizing the Horn–Schunck Optical flow (HSOF) methodology is utilized to enumerate the relative motion betwixt surveillance videos' frames aimed at detecting the location of the missing one's trafficking. Lastly, the proposed design's performance is analogized with the existent methodologies to deduce this methodology's superiority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 has caused far-reaching humanitarian challenges. Amongst the emerging impacts of the pandemic is on the dynamics of human trafficking. This paper presents findings from a multi-methods study interrogating the impacts of COVID-19 on human trafficking in Sudan—a critical source, destination, and transit country. The analysis combines a systematic evidence review, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group with survivors, conducted between January and May of 2021. We find key risks have been exacerbated, and simultaneously, critical infrastructure for identifying victims, providing support, and ensuring accountability of perpetrators has been impeded. Centrally, the co-occurrence of the pandemic and the democratic transition undercut the institutional and governance capacity, limiting the anti-trafficking response and exposing already vulnerable groups to increased risks of human trafficking. Findings point to increased vulnerabilities for individuals with one or more of the following identities: migrants, refugees, females, and informal labourers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whilst traditionally, the study of the illegal wildlife trade has been focused on species that consider the role of the Western world as a consumer or transit hub, the study of the illegal trade in European eels is a landmark opportunity to deem the role of Europe as a source area for wildlife trafficking. Based on a qualitative methods research design, this case study delves into the nature of the illegal trade in European eels. In the context of globalization, a global eel market developed at the same time as stocks decreased sharply. The process of criminalization of the trade and fishing of eels, in combination with criminogenic asymmetries, has been facilitating opportunities for crime groups. In the legal-illegal continuum, upper- and underworld actors interact along the chain from rivers to worldwide consumers. This constant interaction fuels the illegal trade by providing the underworld with vital elements for its continuity, such as protection, finance, or laundering. In particular, this research focusses on the different legal-illegal interactions by looking at outsourcing, funding and complex symbiotic-antithetical relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moral panics around the issue of sex trafficking are not new, as human trafficking itself has roots in the moral concern over the prostitution of white women. However, in modern times the growth of social media has enabled sex trafficking conspiracies to quickly emerge and easily spread. Scant literature has explored how social media now plays a role in generating moral panics around sex trafficking. This paper uses tweets about the #WayfairGate conspiracy as a case study to analyze this issue. Findings reveal that moral panics generated through social media still follow the basic elements of a moral panic. Themes of religion and patriotism are also found. Further, the use of technology enables the fast spread of misinformation, generates stereotypes about both sex trafficking and human trafficking more broadly, and acts as a gateway introduction to other conspiracies. Such conspiracies should not be dismissed as they have the ability to impact public opinion and shape policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]