Academic perspectives on the under-explored purposes of human trafficking: a literature review from a Social Work perspective

Abstract

Human trafficking is a violation of human rights. Understanding of the issue has focused predominantly on sexual exploitation and forced labor. Servile marriage, illegal adoptions, organ trafficking, and forced begging have received less attention, which contributes to their invisibility. This article examines how these forms of trafficking are represented in the literature; to this end, an exploratory review of recent literature was conducted. The analysis identified theoretical perspectives, definitions, attributed causes, assessments, and recommended intervention strategies. The results highlighted the predominance of criminal justice and human rights frameworks. Definitions are primarily constructed from normative perspectives, while causes are associated with structural, cultural, and institutional factors. Moralizing narratives were identified that denounce the normalization of exploitation and highlight the commodification of human beings. The analyzed literature shows fragmented and uneven development, with limited incorporation of critical and situated approaches, which limits a comprehensive and transformative understanding of these forms of trafficking. Consequently, there is a need to strengthen research and intervention from a social work perspective, incorporating critical and situated approaches that make these purposes more visible.