Time to go deep

I have talked at length about structural issues leading to the problem of modern slavery. In addition, I have provided a theoretical model for understanding the common mechanisms by which it operates.

To review, human trafficking can be thought of in terms of economics. There is a supply side and a demand side. Additionally, there is a transit and aftermath phase.

The supply side is represented by people at risk for being exploited. The main contributing factor to this is lack of security. The components of security are effective law enforcement and legal systems. They are also economic advantages and access to resources. In sum, these break down the most when the community or society in which people live is poor. In such circumstances, corruption tends to dominate and people tend to take desperate measures to survive. Poverty produces the supply.

The demand is represented by those willing to take advantage of this. Moreover, it is those social and power structures and norms, which permit corrupt individuals to take such advantage. Again corruption is a major issue. So is a lack of effective laws for dealing with such crimes. As to norms, ignorance of the problem is a major contributing factor, as is lack of discussion of solutions. These are the main issues being combated here at Sustainable Anti-Slavery.

However, in the interests of attacking the problem on all sides, we must deal with the transit phase. This is simply enough when people are being moved from the supply to the demand side. Criminal organizations are the main agents in this area. Thus the solution is one of effective law enforcement and good governance. Again, corruption is a major challenge, as is ignorance.

Finally there is the aftermath. People who have been through traumatic experiences tend to need special care. They also need to be reintegrated with society. Criminals also need to be prosecuted and punished. The aftermath is the most neglected element of the problem. Effective aftercare for for victims is underdeveloped, and perpetrators have repeatedly evaded conviction. Why this happens tends to also be linked with norms. Aftercare isn't considered as exciting as brothel raids. Laws relating to human trafficking also make it hard to impose effective punishments against the perpetrators. In many cases here in the US, they are only convicted on immigration charges and go free after a few years. Corruption may again be at play.

As is evident from this analysis, the contributing factors of every element of the problem link and overlap across a broad spectrum. The solutions must be just as integrated and full spectrum. Such theoretical analysis only goes so far without practical application. Thus it is time to go deep and explore more about how this hits the ground around the world. We will embark on case studies of modern slavery from around the world and analyze it based upon the theoretical framework laid out above. From this discussion solutions will arise.