Traffickers, Slaveholders, and Other Perpetrators: The Key to Ending Human Trafficking
Matthew C. Clarke, MSc, MA, GDip | September 23 | 3:15-4:15 pm
Topic: Conceptual, International | Knowledge Level: Intermediate
A lot of anti-trafficking activities focus on victims/survivors, public policy, law enforcement, and more recently on the integrity of supply-chains. But what about the people who perpetrate the horrendous acts of abuse and exploitation that constitute human trafficking and modern slavery? Following on from the Emancipation Nation Episode 98 and the article, "Perpetrator-Centric Strategies for Addressing Modern Slavery" published in the Journal for Human Rights Practice, this presentation considers the importance of understanding and engaging with the people who perpetrate human trafficking. The group most directly involved in abuse and exploitation are rarely the focus of anti-slavery research or practice. Who are the traffickers? What's their demographic, cultural, and personal background? What external drivers influence their behaviors? What are their internal motivations? How do perpetrators interpret the abuse and exploitation they impose on others? Most importantly, what would it take to undermine or redirect those external drivers and internal motivations so that perpetrators changed their behaviors? Is increasing the threat of incarceration the most effective approach? This presentation argues that addressing such questions is an essential prerequisite to ending human trafficking. Examples of research and practice that do focus on perpetrators will be highlighted. Implications for our theory of change and strategic planning will be discussed, including data from a global survey of anti-slavery organizations. At the end of this presentation, attendees will understand the shape and intention of perpetrator-centric strategies for ending human trafficking.
Presentation Objectives:
· Highlight how little we know about the people who perpetrate the abuses and exploitation of human trafficking and modern slavery
· Describe what a perpetrator-centric approach to ending human trafficking means
· Explain why such an approach is important