Sex Traffickers' Views: A Qualitative Study into Their Perceptions of the Victim–Offender Relationship. Issue 2 (3rd April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Serie, Colinda M. B.; Krumeich, Anja; van Dijke, Anke; de Ruiter, Ellen; Terpstra, Linda; de Ruiter, Corine
• Is Part Of: Journal of human trafficking. Volume 4:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 169
• Page End: 184
• Publication Date: 2018-04-03
• Subjects: Initiative -- sex trafficking -- victim–offender relationship -- work and control methods; Human trafficking -- Periodicals; 364.1551
• DOI: 10.1080/23322705.2017.1337439
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2332-2705

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Until now, most of our knowledge regarding sex trafficking comes from studies of victims. Only a limited number of empirical studies have focused on those who conduct the business of sex trafficking. This article examined sex traffickers' perceptions of the victim–offender relationship. Using a grounded theory approach, verbatim interviews with sex traffickers were analyzed. Four major themes emerged: perceptions of the initiative, the (victim–offender) relationship, their own role and work methods, and on the victims who reported to the police . The results provide a complex picture that shows variations in relationships, roles, and work (control) methods over time within the same victim–trafficker dyad as well as between individual sex traffickers.