A Legal Analysis of Labor Trafficking Cases with a Transportation Lens
Kezban Yagci Sokat, PhD & Trayce Hockstad, JD | September 17 | 3:15-4:15 pm EDT
Topic: Research, Legal | Knowledge Level: Advanced
Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing criminal industries with $150 billion in annual profits and an estimate of over 27.6 million victims exploited through commercial sex or forced labor activities. While transportation of a victim is not compulsory for a crime to be considered human trafficking, the transportation industry plays a crucial role in every stage of the trafficking process. This is especially true for labor trafficking victims, who generally have severely limited or no mobility during long periods of exploitation. As such, there is a great need for dedicated research focused exclusively on labor trafficking. Overwhelming evidence suggests that labor trafficking (without the presence of overlapping sex trafficking charges) is woefully under prosecuted in the U.S. This study seeks to close a gap in understanding the labor trafficking timeline by examining the role of transportation through a systematic review of labor trafficking cases. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate successfully litigated cases with respect to the role of transportation. The insights from the 16 opinions selected, issued at various points in the litigation process, shed light on ways the transportation network can disrupt the trafficking process, serve as a resource point for victims attempting escape, and support prosecution of traffickers.
Presentation Objectives:
• Help the transportation industry and anti-trafficking practitioners understand the role of transportation in labor trafficking through a systematic review of labor trafficking in U.S. court records
• Demonstrate how the transportation network can aid in disrupting the trafficking process, serving for safe exit strategies for victims attempting escape, and facilitating prosecution of traffickers