"The child will just run back": Exploring consequences of inappropriate assistance interventions and procedures with child victims of transnational trafficking

Objective:      To explore the impact of inappropriate assistance interventions and procedures on child victims of trafficking post-rescue Introduction:             Child trafficking is a multiple child rights... [ view full abstract ]

Objective:      To explore the impact of inappropriate assistance interventions and procedures on child victims of trafficking post-rescue

Introduction:             Child trafficking is a multiple child rights violations affecting lives of millions of children worldwide. In addition, it is an area riddled with complexities especially when it comes to victim assistance. However, effective provision of victim assistance is potentially empowering to victims and can lead to immediate stabilization and long term recovery.

Methods:        A qualitative research approach was applied to get rich details from study participants. Purposive sampling was used when selecting the 32 participants who were interviewed for the study. In-depth interviews were conducted and recorded. The researcher obtained ethics clearance from University of Johannesburg before commencing the study. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data, in conjunction with previous literature reviewed.

Results:          When assistance is inappropriately handled, the following consequences were identified: re-trafficking, stigmatization, secondary trauma and victimization, and mistrust in victims. These consequences indicate that interventions which are not implemented appropriately can be ineffective and have unintended negative effects.

Conclusion:    Assistance fragmentation causes further vulnerability to children as they become powerless and tend to feel worthless when they are being processed through disintegrated child protection, justice, social service and immigration system. Indeed, failure to facilitate interventions and processes accurately, appropriately and in time makes any rights accorded to children abstract and illusionary and it does increase children’s vulnerability.