Analysis of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Human Trafficking
David J. Corliss, PhD | September 23 | 3:15-4:15 PM
Topic: Research | Knowledge Level: Beginner
Anecdotal reports from the front lines of the COVID-19 tell of a spike in human trafficking due to the pandemic. This analytic research explores the intersection between human trafficking and COVID-19. The main research questions are how to measure the impact of COVID-19 on human trafficking, which changes from the pandemic are changes are temporary (e.g., a spike in homelessness) and which are long-term (e.g., more online recruiting), and how to adjust policies and programs to respond to these changes. Much of the literature published so far, such as a special issue of the Journal of Modern Slavery, offers views from experienced experts (UNDOC) and anecdotal reports from field workers (G. Byrne, et. al., 2020), but little hard data. In this study, a data-driven approach compares year-over-year changes in human trafficking in the United Stated with the pre-COVID baseline to assess the impacts. Changes in key drivers due to the pandemic are analyzed to assess their impact on trafficking. The study finds that drivers of human trafficking most affected by the pandemic include increases in poverty, disproportional impact on marginalized communities, affluence and financial support for trafficking, and commoditization of labor and debt bondage. Housing instability has decreased during the pandemic, temporarily reducing this driver. In conclusion, COVID-19 has worsened human trafficking through financial disruption resulting in more victims, a temporary rise in online sexual exploitation, and likely permanent increases in online recruiting, selling, criminal funding, and management. Focus is needed on locations with the greatest increases and developing resources for the growing online marketplace for trafficking.
Presentation Objectives:
· Use a statistical analysis to show attendees what groups of people are most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
· Show which risk factors have been aggravated by the pandemic
· Discuss which consequences of the pandemic should be short-term and long-term