"One Size Does Not Fit All:" A Proposed Ecological Model for Human Trafficking Intervention

J Evid Inf Soc Work. 2018 Mar-Apr;15(2):136-149. doi: 10.1080/23761407.2017.1420514. Epub 2017 Dec 28.

Abstract

The problem of human trafficking continues to be one of the vilest human rights abuse and manifestation of social injustice around the world. A lot of antitrafficking efforts have been put in place. However, there is still a lot of emphasis on the criminal aspect of the problem. This has meant that human and practical aspects of the problem have not received sufficient attention, including assessing the problem, victims, and perpetrators in their environments. The ecological perspective helps practitioners, researchers, and policy makers to better understand the problem. This article uses the main concepts in this theory to frame the problem. Discussions are directed toward understanding the different aspects of the problem from an ecological perspective.

Keywords: Ecological theory; human trafficking; person in the environment; vulnerable persons.

MeSH terms

  • Crime Victims / statistics & numerical data
  • Environment
  • Human Rights*
  • Human Trafficking / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • International Cooperation*
  • Patient Advocacy
  • Policy*
  • Resilience, Psychological
  • Sex Work / statistics & numerical data
  • Social Work / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Social Work / organization & administration*
  • Stress, Psychological / epidemiology
  • United States
  • Vulnerable Populations