UNDERSTANDING MIGRATION TO
UNDERSTAND PREVENTIONWhy do people migrate?
Factors that effect trafficking outcomes and vulnerability
vulnerable community
person seeking a better
lifeBased on a variety of needs and motivations, people make choices related to a possible
migration
vulnerable community
person seeking a better
life
safe migration
If the potential migrant is well- informed and is lucky enough to be associated with people
who have no intension of exploiting him/her, the
outcome can be very positive
vulnerable community
person seeking a better
life
safe migration
However, if the potential migrant is ill-informed or
being influenced by criminals who’s intent is to exploit, the outcome
can be devastating.
trafficking outcome: slavery
vulnerable community
person seeking a better
life
safe migration trafficking outcome: slavery
It is important to note that in addition to these
end points, there are many people who
migrate and fall somewhere in between
these two extremes.
vulnerable community
person seeking a better
life
safe migration trafficking outcome: slavery
For example, a person might be exploited, but not enough to be considered trafficked.
Not all exploitation is trafficking.
To better understand how the migratory process can be directly associated with a trafficking outcome, there are pre-departure factors that need to be
taken into consideration. They include:
Community vulnerability
Personal motivations and needs
The influence stakeholders, family members and others have on influencing the potential
migrant’s decisions.
Each community has a variety of different factors that makes it either more vulnerable or
less vulnerable to recruiters/traffickers.
The relative alignment of these factors can help predict a community’s vulnerability.
For example..
Community Vulnerability
Human securityNo human security Human security present
Community vulnerability
Economic securityNo economic security Economic security
Stability (no conflicts/disasters)Unstable Stable
Understanding of trafficking risk
No understanding Understanding
Geographical proximity
Trafficking present Trafficking not present
Psychological well being (community)Pessimistic Optimistic
ConsumerismStrong Weak
Human securityNo human security Human security present
Community vulnerability
Economic securityNo economic security Economic security
Stability (no conflicts/disasters)Unstable Stable
Understanding of trafficking risk
No understanding Understanding
Geographical proximity
Trafficking present Trafficking not present
Psychological well being (community)Pessimistic Optimistic
ConsumerismStrong Weak
This table identifies seven elements
that can be used to measure community
vulnerability
Human securityNo human security Human security present
Community vulnerability
Economic securityNo economic security Economic security
Stability (no conflicts/disasters)Unstable Stable
Understanding of trafficking risk
No understanding Understanding
Geographical proximity
Trafficking present Trafficking not present
Psychological well being (community)Pessimistic Optimistic
ConsumerismStrong Weak
} When a community’sindicators fall on this end
of the spectrum, it is considered more vulnerable.
Human securityNo human security Human security present
Community vulnerability
Economic securityNo economic security Economic security
Stability (no conflicts/disasters)Unstable Stable
Understanding of trafficking risk
No understanding Understanding
Geographical proximity
Trafficking present Trafficking not present
Psychological well being (community)Pessimistic Optimistic
ConsumerismStrong Weak
{Likewise, when a community’s
indicators fall on this endof the spectrum, it is
considered less vulnerable
Human securityNo human security Human security present
Community vulnerability
Economic securityNo economic security Economic security
Stability (no conflicts/disasters)Unstable Stable
Understanding of trafficking risk
No understanding Understanding
Geographical proximity
Trafficking present Trafficking not present
Psychological well being (community)Pessimistic Optimistic
ConsumerismStrong Weak
Understanding these factors helps to predict which
communities need more preventive support than
others.
PERSONAL NEEDS AND MOTIVATIONS
Within each community, there are individuals who are predisposed to migrate.
While the previous table can give us some indication of which communities are more
vulnerable than others.
PERSONAL NEEDS AND MOTIVATIONS
A person’s unique individual needs and motivations must also be taken into
consideration.
Motivations and needs to migrate are varied and not always based on negative factors.
potential migrant
lack of human security
desire to increase status
adventureincreased economic stability
escape stigma
poverty
emotional stability
education abroad
Note the many reasons why a person might
chose to migrate..
potential migrant
lack of human security
desire to increase status
adventureincreased economic stability
escape stigma
poverty
emotional stability
education abroad
It is not simply poverty.
potential migrant
lack of human security
desire to increase status
adventureincreased economic stability
escape stigma
poverty
emotional stability
education abroad
Decision influencers
Family membersNeighbors
Past MigrantsTraffickers
Community leaders
Those who influence the decision to migrate
include a variety of people.
potential migrant
lack of human security
desire to increase status
adventureincreased economic stability
escape stigma
poverty
emotional stability
education abroad
Decision influencers
Family membersNeighbors
Past MigrantsTraffickers
Community leaders
Understanding the relationship between motivations and those
who influence the decisions is essential for understanding how to prevent trafficking from
happening
Because to develop effective prevention programs, we MUST understand what
motivates a person to migrate.
Why are these factors important?
Assuming that poverty is the main motivating factor is too simplistic and will result in assumptions that will not help to reduce trafficking vulnerability.