Individual and contextual vulnerability factors involved in the human trafficking process of minors and adults serviced by Hope Risen : a case study

Abstract

Trafficking in persons (TIP) is a global crime known for its complexity and the trafficker’s ability to understand and exploit an individual’s specific individual and contextual characteristics. Considering the reported growth of TIP globally, it is becoming increasingly important to understand what influences an individual’s vulnerability to be trafficked. This is imperative within the context of South Africa’s history of inequality, which contributes to a unique social, political, and economic context that is expertly manipulated by traffickers. There exists a multitude of research on TIP vulnerability, which approach vulnerability through an isolated framework. Within these studies, the isolated understanding of vulnerability has neglected to view TIP vulnerability as a complex and systemic experience. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explore and describe the individual and contextual factors that influenced TIP vulnerability for trafficked individuals serviced by Hope Risen (HR). By doing so, existing understandings of TIP vulnerabilities could be updated to reflect a more systemic and holistic approach. This was achieved by employing a descriptive case study design that relied on both quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative sample consisted of 15 case files from which collected data was transformed into quantitative data through a process of quantitising. Results were presented according to descriptive statistics which indicated that the highest individual factors that influenced TIP vulnerability was Being a Female. Similarly, the highest contextual factor was Unemployment. Simultaneously, qualitative data was collected from a sample of three interview participants. A thematic analysis was conducted which resulted in the development of three main themes which were Personal History; Trauma consequences; and Broader Contextual Factors. A converged and integrated discussion of the findings of the two data sets facilitated a richly described case study of TIP vulnerability.