Similarities and differences between human trafficking and domestic violence

Abstract

The literature tries to capture the compound phenomenon and complexity of human trafficking in different ways. We would like to highlight an aspect which is known for help organizations, but which has seldom been mentioned in scientific articles. Preventing, detecting, proving, and punishing the exploitation of a vulnerable victim for sexual, labour or other purposes is a major task for investigative authorities and the judiciary. Unfortunately, the number of proceedings in this area is low, due in part to the victims’ feelings of shame, their dependency on the perpetrator are the main reasons why they do not turn to the authorities, and their testimonies are often contradictory and unclear. Pursuant to the EU Directive 2011/36, criminal proceedings in respect of this offense should, as far as possible, not be based solely on the testimony of the victim. Processes similar to the dynamics of domestic violence often occur in the case of trafficking human beings. The similarities and differences can be read between the two phenomena, following the introduction of the phenomenon of trafficking human beings, in the hope that this might help to make the fight against trafficking more effective.