Exploring Vulnerabilities: A Socioecological View of Child Trafficking in Sierra Leone

Author: Callands, Tamora; Cody, Anna; Schroeder, Elyssa; Okech, David; Balch, Alex & Bolton, Claire

Abstract: Using the Social Ecological Model (SEM), this study examined factors contributing to children’s vulnerability to trafficking in Sierra Leone. Understanding these factors is critical for designing effective, multi-level interventions. We analyzed qualitative data from a mixed-methods prevalence estimation study (2020–2021) conducted in trafficking hotspot regions. Data included in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with survivors, caregivers, community members, and key informants. Using a comparative thematic analysis, we found that structural-, social-, and individual-level factors intersect to increase children’s vulnerability. Structural drivers included widespread poverty, limited access to education and healthcare, and a disconnect between child protection policies and the communities’ capacity to implement them. At the social level, the traditional practice of menpikin (customary fostering) revealed themes of family obligation and labor expectations, particularly for girls. Gender norms also influenced expectations around obedience and work. At the individual level, vulnerability was heightened in single-parent, polygamous, and orphaned households, with additional risks arising from patriarchal dynamics, conflict, and domestic violence. Findings underscore the need to address all social ecological levels when developing interventions. They also highlight that vulnerability is not static but a dynamic process – emphasizing the need for holistic, context-specific strategies to prevent trafficking and protect at-risk children.

Keywords: child trafficking vulnerability, Social Ecological Model, gender norms and customary fostering (menpikin), Sierra Leone