International Migration
Volume 48, Issue 4, 2010, Pages 164-185

Minors travelling alone: A risk group for human trafficking? (Article)

Derluyn I.* , Lippens V. , Verachtert T. , Bruggeman W. , Broekaert E.
  • a Department of Orthopedagogics, Ghent University, Belgium
  • b Department of Criminology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
  • c Chief Commissioner of the Federal Judicial Police of Brussels Airport, Belgium
  • d Foundation Benelux University, Netherlands
  • e Department of Orthopedagogics, Ghent University, Belgium

Abstract

Minors travelling without their parent(s) or guardian are an increasing phenomenon. Although their travel objectives might differ importantly, varying from holiday purposes to migration objectives, an important subgroup of them might be at risk to fall into exploitative circumstances, such as human trafficking. Studying the group of minors travelling alone arriving at Brussels Airport (Belgium), this research investigates the population's characteristics, the procedures used, and the risks some of these minors run of falling into exploitative situations. Firstly, registration revealed that tens of thousands minors travelling alone arrive at Brussels Airport each year, with an important part of them coming from African countries. Secondly, participant observations showed that detection of possible cases of human trafficking is a very complex issue, resulting in the alarming hypothesis that many cases of trafficking of minors travelling alone might not be detected during their journey or at their arrival at the airport. © 2009 The Authors. Journal Compilation © 2009 IOM.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

education Registries economics psychological aspect risk register Brussels [Belgium] Social Problems travel Internationality Minors international cooperation ethnology social problem young population juvenile Africa History, 21st Century Belgium victim Article high risk behavior Risk-Taking history trafficking History, 20th Century legal aspect Sex Offenses sexual crime Crime Victims
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77955027360&doi=10.1111%2fj.1468-2435.2009.00548.x&partnerID=40&md5=cb93ba2353c5d2c063026f8d24a0e739
DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2435.2009.00548.x
ISSN: 00207985
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English