Naming, Blaming, and Claiming: Understanding Human Trafficking Victims’ Nondisclosure and Non-Reporting Behavior

Author: Hefner, M. Kristen & Hill, Leslie

Abstract: Despite efforts to combat human trafficking, most instances remain unacknowledged and unidentified. Through in-depth interviews with human trafficking survivors, this research uses a naming, blaming, and claiming framework to provide a comprehensive understanding of why human trafficking victims often do not disclose their victimization. Consistent with this framework, the interviews reveal that human trafficking victims face barriers in naming their victimization, blaming the offender, and making claims of victimization. The current study provides policy and practical implications for better identifying and responding to cases of human trafficking.

Keywords: human trafficking, reporting, disclosure, victimization