She said this might be God’s way of taking care of us. Family involvement in human trafficking

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to explore the role of family members in human trafficking and how their roles impact and are perceived by their children and wards. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses data collected through a longitudinal, cross-country study. The study was conducted among 31 female, Nigerian victims of trafficking in Italy. Findings The authors argue that family members play important, howbeit diverse roles across space and time, in the different stages of the trafficking process, echoing a relational approach of their geographies. Originality/value This paper discusses the under-researched role of how family members may (wilfully or unknowingly) facilitate and aid the trafficking of their dependents and the consequences of their involvement on their children and wards.