(In)Vulnerable Masculinities and Human Trafficking: Men, Victimhood, and Access to Protection in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Abstract The anti-trafficking movement has historically focussed almost entirely on the experiences of women and girls, excluding men from the narrative. This exclusion has led to a lack of understanding and identification of men's trafficking experiences, which in turn has hindered their access to protection. An analysis of decisions of the United Kingdom's Upper Tribunal on protection claims filed by adult male ‘victims of trafficking’ shows that substantial obstacles exist for adult male ‘victims of trafficking’ in accessing protection, mostly as a result of the reticence of decision-makers to perceive, understand, and acknowledge vulnerability outside of traditional gender stereotyping.