Case Study of Moldova: Are People Trafficked Because They
Lack Awareness and Understanding about Human Trafficking?
Author: Bogdan, Ludmila , ludmila.bogdan@snc.edu
Department: Political Science
University: University of Vienna, Austria
Supervisor: Otmar Hoell
Year of completion: In progress
Language of dissertation: English
Keywords:
human rights
, human trafficking
, migration
, public opinion
Areas of Research:
Human Rights and Global Justice
, Political Sociology
, Women in Society
Abstract
The literature on human trafficking continues to increase; however, it generally lacks public opinions about this problem. This research paper attempts to fill this gap by analyzing a sample of Moldovan populations’ opinions and views about the different aspects of human trafficking. In the battle against human trafficking, the raising awareness campaigns and educational programs play a key role. However, there has been little research on the effects of these campaigns in preventing this problem. This report employs a case study method based on quantitative and qualitative information collected during 2013-2014. Moldova was chosen as a case study because it represents one of the countries of origin with highest rate of human trafficking. The study finds that there is statistical significance in the levels of awareness and understanding of human trafficking among rural, urban, and capital city residents. It is widely believed that rural residents of Moldova are more vulnerable to being trafficked because they lack knowledge about this phenomenon, education, access to information, and economic resources. However, the results of this study prove otherwise; the rural residents polled were the most informed about different aspects of human trafficking. These results challenge the perceived believes that rural people are mainly trafficked because of a lack of awareness and understanding of human trafficking. These findings are of major importance since they show that anti-trafficking organizations are using inaccurate information, which directly affects the success of prevention efforts, legislation, and anti-trafficking policies.
