A Critical Sociological Analysis of “Push-Pull” Factors Influencing Human Trafficking: Towards an Integrated, Multidimensional Conceptual Model to Inform Interventions

Trafficking in persons (TIP), a form of modern day slavery, is both a global and local phenomenon. In this paper, the authors have applied a critical sociological lens to examine the human trafficking literature to develop a preliminary conceptual model for understanding the multiple, micro- and macro-level factors influencing human trafficking. The authors use examples and data from around the globe. This critical sociological analysis of TIP situates the experiences of victims and survivors within their macrosocial contexts, specifically societal norms about gender, regional migration streams, and legal issues intersecting to create “push” and “pull” factors producing and sustaining human trafficking. Among immigrants, the intersecting factors diffuse the smuggling and trafficking dynamics, making it difficult for law enforcement and service providers, for example, to assess the needs of victims and to ensure critical services to survivors, while assisting them to move from rescue to restoration. Drawing from this secondary research, the authors develop an integrated, multidimensional conceptual model of practice. The model builds on systems and feminist theories, as well as human rights and strength-based approaches, and proposes to involve a wide range of stakeholders, such as social scientists, law enforcement, survivors and advocates, to work together in the creation of evidence-based policies and programs to combat human trafficking. The session will include a paper presentation by the authors and a discussion of the model and its potential applicability in various international, national and local contexts.