“Why Go Through the Process?”: How Trafficking-Related Policies Impact Front-Line Workers’ Discretion Around Human Trafficking Identification

Author: Birger, Lior; Langhoff, Kristine & Watters, Charles

Abstract: This qualitative study explores the ways national-level human trafficking and modern slavery policies and mechanisms impact front-line workers’ decision-making around victim identification in the UK and Israel. It is based on in-depth interviews with key informants and front-line workers working in adult psycho-social services in both countries. The findings indicate that although front-line workers in each country encounter different forms of trafficking, their decisions around potential victim identification and referral are commonly impacted by the nature of the referral mechanism and post-trafficking services. The study’s contribution to the understanding of trafficking identification and its implications are discussed.

Keywords: front-line workers, human trafficking, Israel, labor trafficking, modern slavery, sex trafficking, trafficking identification, UK