Using Systems Thinking to Advance the Prevention of Human Trafficking: Examples and a Call to Action

Author: Such, Elizabeth; Gordon, Mollie; Nguyen, Phuong Thanh; Pavey, Lila; Hopson, Jenna; McAlpine, Alys; Aminu, Habiba & Recknor, Frances

Abstract: Human trafficking is a complex global problem maintained by a web of interacting individual, community, national and international factors. Its complexity is not always robustly addressed in policy, practice and research, with issues commonly approached in silos. This commentary creates the case for more intentional application of systems thinking in the counter-trafficking field. We do this by describing some of the origins of a more systemic focus in counter-trafficking work including the emergence of public health approaches, survivor- or lived-experience leadership and developments in the research domain. We then provide three case examples of how a systems lens has been applied in research, in policy and in practice across three countries, the UK, Canada and the US. We conclude with reflections on the promise of and challenges for systems thinking and a call to action for more systems-informed counter-trafficking work.

Keywords: human trafficking, child sexual exploitation, systems thinking, whole systems, public health