An assessment of Portuguese social professionals awareness of human trafficking

Abstract

ABSTRACT As social professionals are increasingly called on to assist in human trafficking cases, the present study used a qualitative approach to explore how this crime and its victims and traffickers are perceived by these workers. Forty-eight social professionals (aged 24–57) completed an online human trafficking knowledge survey. The data reported suggest a narrative congruent with the European image of the ‘iconic’ victim and trafficker. Those stereotypical narratives may narrow the interventions of these professionals in Portugal, not enabling accurate decisions regarding the trafficking condition. Nevertheless, this study suggests a similarity between the data reported about the forms of recruitment, exploitation, and control and the scientific knowledge available about this phenomenon. Recommendations are offered to improve human trafficking awareness among social professionals and their responses to human trafficking crimes, promote victim safety and meet the needs of the victims.