European Journal of Political Economy
Volume 25, Issue 2, 2009, Pages 143-162

As bad as it gets: Well-being deprivation of sexually exploited trafficked women (Article)

Di Tommaso M.L.* , Shima I. , Strøm S. , Bettio F.
  • a Department of Economics, CHILD, University of Turin, Via Po 53, Torino, 10124, Italy, Frisch Centre for Economic Research, Oslo, Norway
  • b European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research (Affiliated to the United Nations), Berggasse 17, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
  • c Department of Economics, CHILD, University of Turin, Via Po 53, Torino, 10124, Italy, Frisch Centre for Economic Research, Oslo, Norway
  • d Department of Economics, University of Siena, Piazza S.Francesco 7, 53100 Siena, Italy

Abstract

Trafficking in women has been estimated to generate $12 billion a year, enough to be ranked just after trafficking in weapons and drugs. This paper analyzes working and living conditions of individuals that have reported to the Anti-Trafficking Unit of the International Organization for Migration for assistance and have been identified as 'victims of trafficking' for the purpose of 'sexual exploitation'. We use the theoretical framework of the capability approach to conceptualize well-being deprivation and we estimate a MIMIC model. The utilized indicators measure abuse, freedom of movement, and access to medical care. We conclude that working in secluded spaces worsen well-being conditions of the victims. A better access to medical care and to contraception for all sex workers would improve well-being also for trafficked women. Moreover, criminalization of sex work may move all sex workers in more secluded places, which will also have a negative impact on the well-being of sexually exploited trafficked individuals. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Capability approach Structural equation models Well-being Trafficking

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-62349142540&doi=10.1016%2fj.ejpoleco.2008.11.002&partnerID=40&md5=6721bc4d7debc4564f7d59c3e83ba703
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2008.11.002
ISSN: 01762680
Cited by: 53
Original Language: English