Title: Human trafficking and the position of 'vulnerability' for victims in Europe

Authors: Sonia Morano-Foadi

Addresses: School of Law, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Headington Hill Hall, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK

Abstract: In the light of the key findings of a recent EU project, this paper examines the complex phenomenon of human trafficking in Europe. The analysis investigates the extent to which human trafficking legislation assists legal and judicial authorities in recognising and protecting victims. Following a review of the various confounding issues around victims' identification, the paper promptly targets the concept of 'vulnerability' as a decisive tool for effective intervention in human trafficking. Finally, this paper offers interesting insights into the role of Directive 2011/36/EU and its system of enforcement towards enhanced protection for victims of human trafficking.

Keywords: human trafficking; vulnerability; victim identification; trafficking victims; court proceedings; Trafficking Directive 2011/36/EU; legal authorities; judicial authorities; European Union; EU directives; victim protection; trafficking legislation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMBS.2016.077644

International Journal of Migration and Border Studies, 2016 Vol.2 No.3, pp.289 - 307

Received: 01 Aug 2015
Accepted: 27 Oct 2015
Published online: 11 Jul 2016 *

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