Concentrations of harm: Geographic and demographic patterning in human trafficking and related victimisation

Human trafficking and ‘modern slavery’ cover a wide, varied and poorly delineated range of exploitative practices. Yet, conflating different issues risks obscuring important variation. The geographies of trafficking are surprisingly under-researched, particularly quantitatively. Informed by opportun...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Cockbain, Ella (Author)
Contributors: Ashby, Matthew ; Bowers, Kate 1972- ; Zhang, Sheldon X.
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2025
In: Criminology & criminal justice
Year: 2025, Volume: 25, Issue: 1, Pages: 147-170
Online Access: Volltext (kostenfrei)
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Keywords:
Sexual exploitation
Migration
Forced Labour
Environmental Criminology
domestic servitude
Criminal exploitation
Description
Summary:Human trafficking and ‘modern slavery’ cover a wide, varied and poorly delineated range of exploitative practices. Yet, conflating different issues risks obscuring important variation. The geographies of trafficking are surprisingly under-researched, particularly quantitatively. Informed by opportunity theories, we examined geospatial and demographic concentrations in trafficking and related exploitation formally identified in the United Kingdom (UK) over the decade 2009–2019. Taking an exploratory approach, we analysed individual-level data for 26,503 people officially identified as suspected or confirmed victims. Our results reveal a highly complex landscape that likely reflects multiple and intersecting contributing factors, including both systemic drivers and more immediate opportunity structures. Alongside considerable variation overall, we found heavy geographic and demographic concentrations – and notable interactions between variables. Our study emphasises the importance of disaggregation for analysis and responses and underlines the complex systems involved. Limitations notwithstanding, this novel analysis shows the value of large-scale, context-sensitive research into the geographies of trafficking.
ISSN:1748-8966
DOI:10.1177/17488958241245311