The Albanian and Post-Soviet Business of Trafficking Women for Prostitution

Abstract

We studied 62 court files relating to East European networks, which were handled as cases of human trafficking by the Belgian courts between 1995 and 2003. The goal was to uncover the profiles and developments in the network structure and their financial modus operandi. We discovered two initial profiles (an Albanian and a post-Soviet profile), which are gradually changing into a multi-ethnic and transnational profile. This is not because there is some mastermind at work, but results from the fact that some traffickers want to extend their field and have learned from past experiences. The financial modus operandi is adapting to these developments.