The Exploitation of Syrian and Somali Refugees: Trafficking Narratives in Six Countries

Abstract

This purpose of this research study is to examine human trafficking patterns among refugee populations, as well as determine if these patterns are fundamentally different than those of non-refugee populations. In this study, three different aspects of human trafficking were examined: type of trafficking, means of trafficking, and trafficker profile. To study these patterns, two main methodologies were used. First, data was analyzed from the University of Denver’s Human Trafficking Research Center dataset on Trafficking in Persons reports from 2001-2014. Second, data was collected from JSTOR and LexisNexis in the form of journal and news articles. Trafficking narratives concerning refugees were analyzed and the specified trafficking patterns for refugees were compared with patterns of non-refugees. Due to limitations on the data available and collected for this study, no conclusive results were found. However, human trafficking narratives were provided for both refugees and non-refugees, as well as within each of the six countries. Additionally, three key proposals were identified for future human trafficking research. First, more data on human trafficking cases must be obtained without discrimination across regions and countries. Second, the data collected must be more precise and systematic. Lastly, collaboration must occur between researchers and organizations dedicated toward curbing human trafficking.