Journal of Human Trafficking
Volume 4, Issue 2, 2018, Pages 169-184

Sex Traffickers’ Views: A Qualitative Study into Their Perceptions of the Victim–Offender Relationship (Article)

Serie C.M.B. , Krumeich A. , van Dijke A. , de Ruiter E. , Terpstra L. , de Ruiter C.*
  • a Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
  • b Health Ethics and Society, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
  • c Fier, Leeuwarden, Netherlands
  • d Fier, Leeuwarden, Netherlands
  • e Fier, Leeuwarden, Netherlands
  • f Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands

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. © 2017, © 2017 Taylor & Francis.

Author Keywords

victim–offender relationship sex trafficking work and control methods Initiative

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85067230992&doi=10.1080%2f23322705.2017.1337439&partnerID=40&md5=0ca426543c69be012cfd81f8692baf17
DOI: 10.1080/23322705.2017.1337439
ISSN: 23322705
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English