TY - JOUR
T1 - Trafficking of Women for Sexual Exploitation in Europe
T2 - Prosecution, trials and their impact
AU - Meshkovska, Biljana
AU - Mickovski, Nikola
AU - Bos, Arjan
AU - Siegel, Melissa
PY - 2016
Y1 - 2016
N2 - The importance of criminal proceedings against traffickers in the fight against human trafficking is clear. However, this paper illustrates that investigations, prosecutions and trials are often extremely long with mixed influences on the victims themselves. The study draws on fieldwork conducted in five European countries: Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Serbia and the Netherlands. A total of 40 interviews were conducted—with 7 trafficked persons and 33 service providers who are in direct contact with victims. Based on these interviews, some general themes were identified for analysis: (1) length of the criminal justice process, (2) secondary victimisation, (3) need for specialist training and interviewing skills for all individuals in contact with trafficked persons, (4) information and trust, (5) protection from intimidation, (6) not just conviction but financial compensation, and finally, (7) the label ‘victim’ and the wish to testify. Each theme is discussed in detail.
AB - The importance of criminal proceedings against traffickers in the fight against human trafficking is clear. However, this paper illustrates that investigations, prosecutions and trials are often extremely long with mixed influences on the victims themselves. The study draws on fieldwork conducted in five European countries: Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Serbia and the Netherlands. A total of 40 interviews were conducted—with 7 trafficked persons and 33 service providers who are in direct contact with victims. Based on these interviews, some general themes were identified for analysis: (1) length of the criminal justice process, (2) secondary victimisation, (3) need for specialist training and interviewing skills for all individuals in contact with trafficked persons, (4) information and trust, (5) protection from intimidation, (6) not just conviction but financial compensation, and finally, (7) the label ‘victim’ and the wish to testify. Each theme is discussed in detail.
U2 - 10.14197/atr.20121665
DO - 10.14197/atr.20121665
M3 - Article
SN - 2287-0113
SP - 71
EP - 90
JO - Anti-Trafficking Review
JF - Anti-Trafficking Review
IS - 6
ER -