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Title of Study
The profile of human trafficking
offenders in Northern Ireland and an
exploration into coercive control.
Abstract
Context:
Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery remains an evolving research topic due
to the complex and 'illicit' nature of this type of offending. Within academia there
is a dearth of information relating to victims' experiences of trafficking and
programmes to support recovery. However, there is a significant gap in research
relating to the act of committing the offending behaviour from the view of the
perpetrator and focusing on their actions in the offences. This project sought to
explore what is known about this type of offending, with particular focus on
coercion and/ or control to inform practice within a Criminal Justice Agency
(CJA). The identified theory and knowledge will be disseminated within the CJA
to inform and enhance continuing development of evidence-based practice for
practitioners at multiple levels within the agency (Area Managers, social work
practitioners, Forensic Psychologists, case work support staff and placement
supervisors).
Aims and Objectives:
The aims of this research project are to utilise qualitative methods to increase
the knowledge base of staff within a local CJA, promote evidence informed
social work and increase knowledge of coercion and/ or control tactics of
perpetrators of human trafficking and modern slavery offending, which will aid in
person-centred and offence focused case plans/ offence-focused interventions.
The objectives of the project are:
Gathering demographic information on convicted perpetrators sentenced by
a Northern Irish Court.
Develop understanding of the criminogenic factors that underpin this type of
offending behaviour.
Explore how identified knowledge can be utilised to enhance assessment,
service provision to service users subject to statutory supervision and
offence focused work with perpetrators both in custody and in the
community.