International Counter-Trafficking: A Zero-Sum Game?

Dear Colleagues,

“Human trafficking” is widely considered to be a fundamentally global issue, with counter-trafficking efforts having consolidated in many countries over the past two decades. Despite a large amount of public attention and widespread condemnation of the exploitation of individuals who move within and between nation-state boundaries, the mobilization of the idea of trafficking remains inherently problematic. One reason is that the motivations that have animated activists, non-governmental organizations and states to mobilize against trafficking differ, with some parties having sought the abolition of prostitution or attempted to exert more control over international mobility. Other considerations relate to the power gained and the business opportunities opened up for “legal” actors within counter-trafficking apparatuses, bringing few benefits to victims who often face abuses and violence within counter-trafficking. This situation, in different contexts, results in counter-trafficking efforts appearing to have become a zero-sum game, in which gains made by those who populate counter-trafficking apparatuses rarely trickle down to the “victims of trafficking”. This Special Issue aims to present evidence and debate on counter-trafficking apparatuses, reflecting on the different obstacles that create and maintain this controversial situation, undermining the basic rights of “victims” and many other people on the move who fall outside this category. It welcomes submissions from scholars, scholar-activists, and collaborations with other counter-trafficking actors to contribute empirical research on counter-trafficking and informing debates that can help make counter-trafficking something more than a controversial zero-sum game. We welcome papers that engage with critical trafficking, migration and border studies, especially in relation the following issues: The challenges faced by labour and migration rights activists and organizations, as well as sex workers and pro-sex work activists and organizations, in gaining access to and influencing counter-trafficking debates; Counter-trafficking organizations, their idea of trafficking, and relations with target groups/beneficiaries, states and other counter-trafficking actors; Current debate and conceptual issues around “vulnerability”, “coercion” and “exploitation”; The impact of recent political and social developments—from the development of the Global Compacts on Refugees and Migrants to the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine—on the idea of “trafficking” and related counter-trafficking interventions.

Dr. Mara Clemente
Guest Editor

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