Motherhood and Human Trafficking: A Paradox of Resilience and Vulnerability

Author: Hefner, M. Kristen & Hill, Leslie

Abstract: Victim-survivors of human trafficking may experience pregnancy or motherhood before, during, or after their exploitation. Yet little is known about how motherhood shapes victim-survivors’ experiences. Using in-depth, semi-structured interviews, this research explores the intersection of motherhood and human trafficking victimization and survivorship. The findings illustrate that motherhood functions as a structural factor that simultaneously fosters resilience and amplifies vulnerability for mother-survivors. Implications for legal systems and service providers are discussed, emphasizing the importance of incorporating survivors’ motherhood status into responses to human trafficking.

Keywords: human trafficking, motherhood, gendered norms, victimization