Naming, Blaming, and Claiming: Understanding Human Trafficking Victims’ Nondisclosure and Non-Reporting Behavior

• NCJ Number: 308103
• Journal: Journal of Human Trafficking Volume: Online Dated: 2023
• Author(s): M. Kristen Hefner; Leslie B. Hill
• Date Published: November 2023
• Grant Number(s): 2019-VT-BX-0112
• Agencies: OVC-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Award: Tri-County Human Trafficking Task Force Comprehensive Victim Services, Training and Research Project to Serve Human Trafficking Victims in the Tri-County Region

Annotation

This study aims to understand nondisclosure and non-reporting among human trafficking victims.

Abstract

This study provides policy and practical implications for better identifying and responding to cases of human trafficking. Despite efforts to combat human trafficking, most instances remain unacknowledged and unidentified. Through in-depth interviews with human trafficking survivors, this research uses a naming, blaming, and claiming framework to provide a comprehensive understanding of why human trafficking victims often do not disclose their victimization. Consistent with this framework, the interviews reveal that human trafficking victims face barriers in naming their victimization, blaming the offender, and making claims of victimization. (Published Abstract Provided)