rijken conny

The Traffickers

Conny RijkenINTERVICT – Tilburg UniversityBrussels, 28 April 2016

@TRACE_EU http://trace-project.eu

The Traffickers The aim of the study was to examine the

specific characteristics of individuals involved in the trafficking industry, and their interactions with one another and larger criminal networks, from a sociological, psychological and criminological point of view.

Report and policy briefs for the European Commission and stakeholders available on TRACE website

@TRACE_EUhttp://trace-

project.eu

Methodology

Literature review based on which checklists/questionnaires/interview protocols were drafted

Data collection (total 334 traffickers): 160 court files (233 traffickers) Traffickers (101 in total) Social environment and experts (50 in

total)@TRACE_EU

http://trace-project.eu

Methodology

In four countries systematic (Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Romania) supplemented with info from Poland and UK

On all forms of trafficking 4 sub-reports based on country-

reports


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Methodology

Difficult to get permission/access to interview traffickers (secondary information)

Questionable what info traffickers add

Only convicted traffickers (biased)


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The Findings

@TRACE_EU http://trace-project.eu

Demographics

334; 280 male and 54 female File study: appr. 80% sexual

exploitation, 10% forced labour, 10% forced begging

Bit over 50% was over 36 of age Background; mixed in NL, Roma in

Romania and Bulgaria Strong family bonds, role mother


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Demographics

Vast majority had relationship (56%) and did have children (68%)

Low levels of education Unemployment and number of debts high Many have a criminal record

File study: 42% was previously convicted Differences Bulgaria/Romania 2/3 not

previously convicted, in NL 2/3 was previously convicted.


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Childhood and family

Childhood is important indicator Criminal families Close to family (or some members

thereof, often with the mother) In NL high numbers from disrupted

families, low in Bulgaria and Romania

Family business


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Social life

Crime related and functional to the crime

Environment does know Do not want to live the ‘usual’ way

(working, family life) Chilling and socializing, internet

cafes, places of worship for religion (role diaspora)

Exclusion Religion, culture and views on

women@TRACE_EU


Health

No major drugs or alcohol problems Some are diagnosed with

psychological health problems Experts: personality disorder,

narcissistic personality Lack of empathic skills


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Characteristics and personality In need for sensation and action Present 24/7 Use power and violence

instrumentally Show no remorse, guilt or regrets

(they wanted themselves) Many see women as commodity Distrust police (Romania)


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Types of traffickers

Older persons accidentally enter into trafficking

Players (youngers); manipulate women and girls e.g. in love affair;

Those born in a criminal environment


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Recruitment and methods of control Recruitment takes place anywhere They have an eye for girls in

vulnerable situation Can have different roles Faking a love affair Differences between groups of

victims


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Trafficker-victim overlap

Sometimes thin line between victim and perpetrator

Overlap in three ways: Come from the same socio-ethnic

communities or have same socio-ethnic background

Victims who become traffickers Perpetrator victimised under non-

punishment@TRACE_EU


Motives and Incentives-why individuals become involved in the crime of THB?

Economic analysis and rational choice. „when he was recruiting new girls he would get excited by the

prospect of more girls and more money.”

Traffickers’ psychology, personality and wants.

Trafficker’s network. Network theory: “individuals are influenced by the people they

have contact with and that individual positions within larger social structures can determine behaviours.” (Valente, T., P. Gallaher, and M. Mouttapa)

Neutralizing human trafficking


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Motives and Incentives-why individuals become involved in the crime of THB?


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The desire to change his social life to better To integrate themselves in a group To be accepted /status Sexual motivation Desire to feel “macho” Keeping a friendship with a group known for committing

illegalities Wanted to get fun (one trafficker was a pensioner who stated he

was bored) Wanted to show others his ability to have success Wanted to help the victims to find a job abroad since there were

friends/family or coming from the same social and religious community

Drug consumption and the euphoria determined by the drugs

Constraints

Little data Cyprus No access to prisons in the

Netherlands, secondary information Ethical issues; filling in relevant

informationConsent forms, labelling audio files


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