The Reality of Trafficked People's Access to Technology

Abstract

Human trafficking is a global phenomenon. The UK is predominantly, although not exclusively, a destination country for trafficked persons. There is a lack of empirical research and data available which addresses the reality of access by trafficked persons to certain means of communication (internet, mobile phone technology or a PC); therefore any attempts to use these mediums to assist or identify trafficked individuals are based on speculation rather than empiricism. This research through semi-structured interviews with professionals who work with trafficked people or in related fields (for example, immigration agencies, police, victim support, therapists) ( n = 14), identified via snowball and purposive sampling, aims to establish the level of access trafficked persons/putatively trafficked persons have to communication technology. This research identifies a general understanding of trafficked people's access to communication technology; how access to this technology either helps or hinders them escape their current situation; and, consequentially, how technology could assist in responding to trafficking.