As bad as it gets: Well-being deprivation of sexually exploited trafficked women

Abstract

Trafficking in women has been estimated to generate $12 billion a year, enough to be ranked just after trafficking in weapons and drugs. This paper analyzes working and living conditions of individuals that have reported to the Anti-Trafficking Unit of the International Organization for Migration for assistance and have been identified as ‘victims of trafficking’ for the purpose of ‘sexual exploitation’. We use the theoretical framework of the capability approach to conceptualize well-being deprivation and we estimate a MIMIC model. The utilized indicators measure abuse, freedom of movement, and access to medical care. We conclude that working in secluded spaces worsen well-being conditions of the victims. A better access to medical care and to contraception for all sex workers would improve well-being also for trafficked women. Moreover, criminalization of sex work may move all sex workers in more secluded places, which will also have a negative impact on the well-being of sexually exploited trafficked individuals.